You are in:
- Contents » Online » Features
You’re not alone… Ever.
Social Gaming has grown up. The once chucklesome world of ‘sharing’ scores and challenging friends to beat your farm layout has become a multi-million dollar pursuit. Matt Broughton wonders where it will all end…
The future of… LIVE DEALER
In a new series, each month Casino International Online asks industry experts to speculate as to what the future holds for their sector. This month Matt Broughton talks to Evolution Gaming’s Head of Marketing, Helen Hedgeland.
Just for fun… right?
To regulate or not to regulate? That is the question. SGA Director, Stuart Tilly, looks at how to promote responsible social gaming without stifling this blossoming sector.
The Game Blame Game
Do we want industry growth at any cost? Matt Broughton wonders whether anyone is ever to blame for anything other than their own actions.
Big jackpots - big business
If slots players only kick into high-gear once the jackpots are big enough, why don’t we simply start them at that irresistible level? PIMS-SCA Sales Director Matt Butcher has a plan.
ICE: Interesting Conversations… Everywhere!
ICE means different things to different people. To Matt Broughton it means promotional girls, lonely robots and ham. He’s special.
Viva Las Next Big Thing
Is Las Vegas done with its claim to “The Entertainment Capital of the World” title? Matt Broughton wonders just how far his frequent flyer points will stretch, and why he cares so much.
Microgaming: Pioneering since 1994!
Mike Hebden, Head of Casino at Microgaming, discusses online casino and how Microgaming has pioneered the online slot market.
Once a gambler…
You can take the gambler away from the gamble, but you can’t take the gamble away from the gambler. Or something. Matt Broughton confesses.
You’re so pretty I forgive you
We were friends, then you hurt me and took my money, and now you’re back. Full Tilt… how can I still love you? Matt Broughton follows his heart.
The Evolution of Betting
Online wagering transformed the world of gambling and created a new industry. Perhaps we’ve come to take these modern advances for
granted, but what has this evolution meant to those that make their living from the trade?
Wait no longer
Online gaming may at last be coming to the U.S. and to more European territories, writes Barnaby Page – but the news might not be so good for those pinning their hopes on social
High Roller
Paddy Power recently announced the launch of a new brand built around the only real-money casino app designed exclusively for iPad and iPhone: ROLLER. Matt Broughton caught up with Managing Director, Nick Abrahams.
Local to the world
Payments within online gaming will face two key challenges over the next three years: aligning regulations across borders and the local utilisation of payments. So argues EntroPay’s Commercial Director, Andrea McGeachin
One to rule them all?
As Europe’s confusion of e-gaming regulation claims its first victim, there are calls for more consistency. Barnaby Page reports on this legal quagmire
Making it happen: Social Casino
Increasingly, a larger percentage of Facebook social gamers are turning to casino games. Entrepreneur Brock Pierce is set to capitalize on this trend, with the creation of the Playsino Publishing network. Matt Broughton investigates.
Entering the social gaming space
It seems as if everyone is trying to get ‘Social Gaming’ right. Some are successful, many others are not. Matt Broughton talks to a specialist in the field, ThinkManagement.com’s Phil Shaw.
Pass the Pint
Some of the most successful products in the world began with a bunch of mates down the pub ‘mucking about’ with an idea. With this in mind, Matt Broughton caught up with Passoker MD, Stuart Carr.
Online Poker innovations
Online poker can be a tough game to crack; many players find themselves simply not having enough ‘fun’ and walk away. Matt Broughton looks at how canny companies keep developing their game so that you stay in it.
Raking it in
RakeTheRake proudly boasts being “the world’s biggest Poker Rakeback Affiliate” but what exactly does this mean and how did the business reach such giddy heights? Matt Broughton investigates.
What women want?
Research into gender differences in gaming is inconclusive at best – so maybe it’s smarter to focus on an offer that works for both, suggests Barnaby Page
We’re all doomed…
Well, not quite. But hacker-blackmailers and hundreds of new domain name endings are just some of the difficulties gaming firms have to deal with online, reports Barnaby Page
Una Mina de Oro
After a lengthy process Spain has finally awarded its online gambling licences. Matt Broughton caught up with some of the key players in this this newly-regulated market.
Love can’t buy you money
Don’t be seduced by the awesome user base of Facebook, warns Barnaby Page: profitable e-gaming requires more than sheer numbers
Who’s who: Simon Murphy
A new series in Casino International Online – this month: Simon Murphy, Head of Gambling EMEA for FremantleMedia Enterprises
Online marketing vs Offline marketing
I like offline marketing; I also like online marketing. But which is best? There’s only one way to find out: FIGHT! Sarah Jones, Director of GameOn Marketing, is your referee.
SUPER-SLOTS!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Matt Broughton testing out some of the superhero slots. SHAZAM!
Boylesports
Irish bookmaker Boylesports recently announced a major restructuring, with retail and internet operations separating. Matt Broughton caught up with the company’s new Online CEO, Keith O’Loughlin.
The next best thing
Even where regulators won’t allow e-gaming, casinos can still take advantage of the Net with play-for-fun Websites or good old-fashioned marketing, writes Barnaby Page
Who’s who: Lydia Melton
A new series in Casino International Online, meet Lydia Melton – Head of Network Games at Microgaming
Digital Marketing Strategy for Online Gaming Websites
Andrew Banks, Managing Director of Squeeze Digital Marketing, talks digital strategy for e-gaming propositions.
Investing in the player: Sharkstaking
Apparently there are people out there prepared to give you their money to play poker with. Unsurprisingly, Matt Broughton investigates. Keenly.
Acquisition and retention
In last month’s GiGse preview we spoke briefly to Interactive IGT’s Director of Player Marketing, Peter Laverick, about his session: “Online marketing – acquiring and retaining online players”. This month CIO brings you the interview in full.
The Art of Invention
What do you do when you can’t find the games you want for your casino? Simple: invent them yourself! Matt Broughton talks to casino owner turned inventor, Mark Slotkin.
GiGse 2012
The 12th annual conference hits San Francisco from April 24-26. Casino International Online offers up a hint of what’s on offer this time round…
“All roads lead to casino…”
In a recent press release CEO of BodogUK, Patrik Selin, said that casino has seen “the least innovation and investment across the industry.” New BodogUK Head of Casino, Adam Joseph, looks to overhaul the online casino business.
Don’t panic
Online Poker doesn’t seem to be harming the revenue of land-based casinos, as Barnaby Page reports
Local Heroes
The balance of European power in e-gaming is starting to shift to onshore operations, reports Barnaby Page. Plus: what women want, improving your Facebook presence, and That Domain Name Again.
The Future of Mobile Gaming
Cozy Games’ Managing Director and Co-Founder, Sreeram Reddy Vanga, looks at the changes in the mobile gaming sector, and prepares us for the changes yet to come.
Goodbye 2011… Hello 2012!
No industry changes in 12 months like an online industry, and 2011 was no exception. Matt Broughton caught up with some of Casino International Online’s 2011 contributors to look back… and look forward.
ON-OFF switch
Will 2012 be the year that a major online operator goes bricks-and-mortar? Barnaby Page looks at the latest predictions from an e-gaming pioneer. Plus: acquiring new customers with free games
Identity crisis
E-gamers dislike waiting for identity verification, and persuading them it’s beneficial could be a tough proposition, writes Barnaby Page
Capitalizing on Mobile Web opportunities
The mobile revolution rolls on whether you’re prepared for it or not. David Flower, Compuware APM’s EMEA VP, offers some suggestions on how to make the most of the imminent opportunities.
Marketing: Land-based vs online
Online and offline casinos: two worlds colliding or two giants standing hand-in-hand? ComTrade’s Ales Gornjec discusses.
Bally goes interactive…
When the oldest slot manufacturing company in the world says it’s going ‘Interactive’ you’d better pay attention, as Matt Broughton discovers…
Help yourself
Effective online help systems and careful attention to the details of the consumer experience are a driver of revenue for e-gaming operators, not just a cost, writes Barnaby Page
If looks could thrill…
In a world of photo-realistic video game graphics, can online gaming risk falling behind presentation-wise? Betsoft Gaming certainly doesn’t think so, as Matt Broughton discovers.
Details, details, details
Apparently small changes to a casino Website can have a significant impact on player behaviour, writes Barnaby Page
A Tale of Two Start-ups
Start-ups of the past, start-ups of the present... Matt Broughton talks to an established company and to a relative newcomer about the trials and tribulations of setting up shop on the Isle of Man.
Bye bye mouse
The online bet of the future could be placed by touching the screen or even gesturing in the air, rather than with a mouse, reports Barnaby Page. Plus: fine-tuning Poker, and licensing without headaches
Different platforms, same story
Creating successful narrative games across online, land-based and mobile can be a potential horror story rather than a fairy tale if mishandled, as FremantleMedia Enterprises’ Richard Beach explains
Online futures
In our recent Casino International Market Report calendar some of the biggest names from the world of online gaming put forward their predictions for the next 12 months. This month Matt Broughton presents the full unabridged version…
Double the poker, double the fun!
“Hours of boredom broken up by moments of sheer terror”. To some people this is how online poker feels, but TableBrain has a solution, as Matt Broughton discovers
Isle of Man: a new era
In an ever-changing industry, creating legislation that stands the test of time is never easy. Vont Limited CEO Jon Sykes looks at the recent changes on the Isle of Man
Spot the difference
How can e-gaming operators stand out from a slew of rivals touting similar services? Barnaby Page looks at some recent efforts. Plus: X-rated domains for the rest of us, and new Isle of Man licences
Writing the rulebook
In our regular look at the issues facing land-based casino operators planning a move online, Barnaby Page explores why standards matter and names don’t (much)
Keep rockin’ in the reel world
Matt Broughton knows it’s only rock and roll, but he likes it. Leander Games are hoping to appeal to rocking gamers as they team up with heavy metal giants Megadeth to present a new slot experience.
The Social Game
There’s no shortage of poker applications in the world, but isn’t it time we stopped worrying about funds and started thinking about friends? Viaden Gaming believes so…
Poker's Black Friday. . .just what happened?
We woke up, we logged on, we found out. A month on from online poker’s infamous ‘Black Friday’, Matt Broughton looks at what actually happened.
Buzz Words
Sometimes a concept comes along that's so simple you wonder why it's taken so long to arrive. Buzz Sport's ZonePlay is one such product...
Getting it right
Is it possible to get a website so wrong that it kills your brand? Compuware Gomez VP EMEA, David Flower, considers all
things possible…
Double vision
London’s new Hippodrome Casino is developing online and land-based strategies hand-in-hand, writes Barnaby Page. Plus: Gambling.com gets bought, and Caesars gets social
Chase Anna Chapman
Matt Broughton test drives Viaden’s latest themed online slot offering and tries to work out why you’d want to chase someone with a gun
