Latest News
Opening the gateway to new LatAm opportunities
Featuring exclusive industry B2B insight for LatAm from David Camacho, Account Manager for LatAm markets at QTech Games
The QTech Games team is buzzing with excitement for this week’s SBC Summit 2024 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa & MEO Arena. This highly anticipated event, set in the stunning city of Lisbon, is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to reunite with old friends and make new connections. It’s sure to be an exhilarating experience that we’re eagerly looking forward to.
On the eve of a busy season in the igaming sector, this conference offers a timely forum for reflection on the road ahead – how the industry can provide operators and players with engaging and innovative betting experiences at some high-impact events that will drive revenue for the coming quarters. SBC Summit 2024 offers excellent networking opportunities with senior peers to discuss many of the most current and pressing issues. Whatever you have in mind – the opportunity or the broader picture unfolding worldwide, regulatory challenges, player engagement, retention strategy, acquisition, and bonus alternatives – it is always helpful and often enlightening to exchange ideas on overall plans and specific innovations with other industry leaders so that we can collectively converge on the best way forward and overcome obstacles.
SBC Summit 2024 brings together thousands of attendees across the gaming sector, including casino operators, sportsbooks, leading distributors like QTech Games, developers, bettors, and affiliates. Nearly half of the attending businesses will be represented by C-level executives, making it the perfect place to build on existing collaborations and forge new ones.
As we look at the current trends, it’s evident that the convergence of AI and data collection is reshaping the gaming landscape. The time has come when AI, with its predictive powers and associated marketing tools, aligns with data collection to create more effective personalization modes. With systems that truly understand and know your customer from login, a seamless, personalized experience is now within reach. The rise of high-volume AI systems is set to be a significant battleground in the future as marketing departments strive to create impactful campaigns that can scale.
After all, if intelligence is just a matter of data processing, the gap between the informed reasoning of the regular workforce and the take-off functionality of AI is only increasing by an order of magnitude. At QTech Games, our gaming lobby, known as QT Play, has led the market for years, thanks to its machine-learning capabilities and the countless improvements in player insights and localized game selection that we have been able to distil from one of the most profound data sets of any distributor. This has given our operator partners in emerging markets a constantly sharpened competitive edge over their rivals.
More broadly, LatAm fosters a rapidly evolving ecosystem where no market position can be taken for granted. After all, emerging markets are often highly fragmented by their very nature.
Player habits are also very different. Small bets and big-win scenarios will be popular in all emerging markets, of course, but these types of bets are great for the operator in terms of margin, and there is much more juice in the lemon.
More generally, reliable and fast access to funds (from deposits to withdrawals) is also critical to making your brand the preferred wallet for any customer. Customer trust in any operator really depends on your ability to pay out in a timely manner.
Especially since customers vastly prefer the sportsbook or jackpot model mentioned above, you need to localize your payment methods, often country by country, based on a set of needs. You also need to localize customer support, which is essential for quality management.
For example, fluency in the local language alone would not be a plus; you need the regional varieties and dialects. That is one area where automation can only help you a little. Your site’s user experience has to be familiar, too, so you can’t reinvent the wheel for UX if you want to compete with the leaders in a given territory.
We closely follow other Latin American markets, including Peru, where the regulated market was launched a few months ago. As in Brazil, several well-known international operators were already operating in Peru, but the market is now one of the most thriving territories in the industry. Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico are also hotspots.
As an innovative and forward-thinking company, we are confident in the potential of the Latin American market. To underscore that commitment, our website is now also available in both Spanish and Portuguese via a simple toggle function, as we bid to service more partners across the Hispanic world.
We know the future of retail demands a hybrid solution which is why we’ve created QTech Hybrid, already soft-launched to immediate positive reviews. We are showcasing this innovative retail solution for emerging markets (like LatAm and Africa) at this week’s SBC Summit 2024 where senior QTech Games delegates are on site if you’d like to enjoy a dedicated demo.
In short, though. QTech Hybrid offers a retail offering that can be transferred to your phone, so that the customer can continue playing after leaving the premises or betting shop. QTech Hybrid allows players to access the full game library of QTech Games, while this retail solution also contains a state-of-the-art Agent Management System. It’s just the latest example of how our wider concerted effort, focusing on LatAm and African markets, is reaping rewards for the end-user experience by seamlessly marrying online and offline. This trademark ingenuity is also another sign of our commitment to under-served regions in developing products that have a high local demand, wherever you set your scene on the map.
This system will be a game-changer, revolutionizing the gaming experience for our partners’ clients, and we are excited to bring it to LatAm as one of the first locations.
Gaming
10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)
Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.
Recognizing Early Signs
“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:
Exhaustion and Irritability
Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.
Gaming Obsession
If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.
Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests
A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.
Emotional Volatility
Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.
Physical Strain
Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.
Neglecting Basic Needs
If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.
Creating a Supportive Environment
While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.
Teamwork and Setting Boundaries
“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.
Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.
Open Communication
Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.
Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
PENN Entertainment Inc. has launched its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app in Pennsylvania. Built on PENN’s proprietary technology platform, Hollywood Casino offers more than 700 iCasino games, a variety of daily promotions, and exciting jackpots.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop, customers in the Keystone State can access Hollywood Casino through either the ESPN BET app or through the new Hollywood Casino app using their same ESPN BET login credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms. PENN plans to launch Hollywood Casino in additional jurisdictions in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Hollywood Casino features a variety of online slots, table games and live dealer content, including bespoke live dealer tables and a dedicated “Casino Floor” lobby that allows users to easily find virtual versions of their favorite slot games from PENN’s retail properties. Hollywood Casino also features original titles from PENN Game Studios, PENN’s in-house casino game development studio that has produced a number of popular online games, including Legendary LarryTM and Wuji MinesTM.
“We’re excited to launch Hollywood Casino as a stand-alone app in Pennsylvania, giving our customers access to their favorite games in a dedicated, casino-first experience. With four Hollywood Casino properties in the state, the app leverages our trusted retail brand and creates a seamless connection between our online and retail gaming experiences. We look forward to bringing this enhanced Hollywood Casino experience to more iCasino markets in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment.
Hollywood Casino is also fully integrated with PENN Play, the Company’s omnichannel loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem rewards, including PENN Cash, exclusive tier benefits and personalized services.
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