Industry News
Custom presents the “Total Experience” for lottery, gaming and betting world
Synergy between technologies, fiscal experience, the capacity to engage end customers and a service centre of excellence: Custom at ICE – Stand S3-310 – preempts the demands of the gaming, lottery and betting world and presents itself as a unique partner for players around the world, with over 15 years of experience.
Cross-sectoral technologies and solutions: a single partner for all needs
Today, Custom is the only player able to offer a range of hardware, software and service solutions to meet the new demands of the gaming world. Founded in 1992 and present in 15 fiscal markets and 76 countries around the world, with over 680 professional staff, six software labs and five production facilities (Italy, India, Romania, China and Brazil), the company has made a cross-sectoral approach one of its basic characteristics. The continuous development of diversified yet synergetic expertise and skills has enabled the company to excel in numerous markets, often being the first to propose specific solutions. This strategic mindset allows an increase of vertical skills in certain sectors, which, when integrated, offer an approach totally centred on the operator’s needs, with close attention also given to the end consumer’s experience. The key example comes from the gaming world, where Custom supports its customers with a comprehensive offer that brings together hospitality solutions (POS PC systems, fiscal printers, cash registers and mobile devices) and those more targeted towards betting and gaming, such as high-speed scanners and industry-specific printers. Nowadays, however, betting outlets are increasingly used for the payment of services such as car tax, insurance, subscriptions and fines: for this range of needs, Custom also provides hardware, software and services for extensive and constant support in all phases of its customers’ business.
The Custom Service Centre: excellence since 2001
Custom anticipated what has now become a mantra by almost twenty years: the product is important but service is essential. On the strength on this conviction, the company employs a dedicated support staff of 300 technicians, available from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm each day, to attend to customers’ needs. At any time and in any place: this is the secret of a proximity service that achieves high KPIs for the closure of service tickets, with an 8-hour Service Level Agreement worldwide. An original, “made-to-measure” and truly next-business-day service, based on the evolution of the market and the needs and technology that revolve around the store from day to day. Custom service is capable of fully managing the store machine fleet, providing support for hardware and software, thanks to a synergy between automation, business intelligence and technological implementation. It extends to new openings, technological refurbishment, the periodic verification of fiscal products and the management of extra services (transfers, changes of company name, location changes and closures).
From augmented reality to hospitality services: gaming beyond gaming to build customer loyalty
Today, the world of gaming and betting, in all its forms, has become a place where diverse needs intersect: people seek recreation but also require catering and entertainment services. With its long experience in the world of hospitality, Custom presents a series of solutions at ICE 2020 that are becoming central to the world of gaming, lotteries and betting. POS systems, mobile devices, printers and software are now becoming cross-sectoral and allow gaming industry leaders to have a single contact for all their needs. An example is POSA (the Android Point-of-Sale system): an Android App that meets all cash point needs in a smart, fast and reliable way. Developed for the hospitality world, this app allows you to manage bookings, employees and customers, with a range of customisable features. However, Custom goes beyond this and is presenting a series of technologies in London designed to enhance the consumer experience through Augmented Reality: information content, video, game statistics, advertising and everything else that creativity can suggest. This technology ecosystem, which mixes real and virtual, becomes a major development driver, facilitating the work of operators on the one hand, and, on the other, offering greater engagement and retention of end consumers.
Integrated Data Intelligence to optimise productivity and workflow
Data is now the new petrol. Companies that can manage data smartly and effectively have a major competitive advantage. For this reason, Custom has developed a program with Data Intelligence solutions that makes the operator’s task smooth and agile, while, at the same time, providing an enjoyable experience for the end consumer. Faster payments, dedicated services, data storage and profiling: all these activities can optimise the entire workflow, with genuine benefits in terms of productivity and return on investment. Custom’s capacity to integrate hardware, software and services is a key element, particularly when it comes to Data Intelligence: each of the Italian company’s solutions, created in a synergistic perspective, where software features determine the form of the hardware, which, in turn, is natively organised to implement data-driven operations.
Esteemed financial analysts at IPO Edge recognize the merged Golden Matrix and MeridianBet Group entity as a burgeoning global gaming leader with a promising financial outlook and innovation
Golden Matrix Group Incorporated (NASDAQ:GMGI) (Golden Matrix) and MeridianBet Group, the newly-consolidated entity in the online gaming world, are honored to receive positive analysis from IPO Edge, a leading portal known for its insightful and credible financial analyses.
The distinguished coverage highlighted the Golden Matrix acquisition of MeridianBet Group as having a significant potential to reshape the gaming landscape, focusing on the combined entity’s strategic positioning for expansive growth and technological innovation.
The entire analysis can be found at: https:/ /IPO-Edge. com/strike-gold-with-gmgi-and-meridianbets-global-gaming-powerhouse/
IPO Edge Insights
The recent article by IPO Edge analysts casts a spotlight on the strategic merits of the $300 million acquisition of MeridianBet Group by Golden Matrix. According to the portal, this bold move is poised to establish a global gaming juggernaut with projected sales reaching $182 million by 2025. The merger not only signifies a monumental leap in market expansion, spanning over 15 markets including Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia but also underscores the entity’s prowess in emerging markets such as Mexico, Tanzania and Peru.
A Story of Strategic Growth and Innovation
At the heart of the Golden Matrix acquisition of MeridianBet Group lies a shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction as the combined group owns a scalable tech platform that leverages machine learning for continuous improvement, alongside unique betting features like Empty Bet, which empowers players to craft their own bets. This synergy of technological advancement and market intelligence sets the stage for an unprecedented growth trajectory in the online gaming sector.
Financial Prudence and Future Prospects
Underscoring the merger’s financial strategy, IPO Edge commends the conservative financing approach, with an anticipated 2x leverage post-merger. This prudent fiscal management, coupled with the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Brian Goodman, enhances the company’s capacity for further strategic mergers and acquisitions.
The CSR Segment
The merger’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, with initiatives aimed at converting players into patrons of meaningful CSR programs, distinguishes it beyond financials and market expansion. This commitment reflects a broader vision of achieving profitability while fostering a positive social impact.
The Market Potential Not Yet Anticipated
As pointed out by this analysis, the market may not fully recognize Golden Matrix’s potential yet. The company’s enterprise value is close to $400 million. That compares with multiples of eight times for Caesar’s Entertainment and a whopping 22 times for DraftKings, according to Sentieo, an AI-enabled research platform.
For more information about the Golden Matrix, please visit https:/ /GoldenMatrix. com/company/ or https:/ /ir.MeridianBet. com/.
The post Golden Matrix Acquisition of MeridianBet Group Receives High Praise from IPO Edge appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Shane Cotter at Real Dealer Studios walks us through the groundbreaking new release, Volcano Roulette, and discusses whether classic table games need a makeover for today’s online audience.
Roulette is probably the most timeless casino game out there. Here’s what happened when we gave it a couple more balls. And a volcano.
The game we’re now launching is Volcano Roulette, and it’s fair to say that it’s a huge departure from what the industry is used to. The first thing players will see is the sleek, steampunk environment and a roulette wheel with that smoking volcano right in the middle. The game’s visuals, compared with typical RNG games, are several steps ahead thanks to the Cinematic RNG technology that Real Dealer invented. Essentially, this means the game was built on video that was produced the same way Hollywood films are made.
As cool as this game looks, it’s really the mechanics that set it apart. In every round, once the spin starts, one or two glowing lava balls can randomly shoot out of the volcano to become part of the action. These extra balls increase the chance of hitting a straight-up bet. If the player does land any straight-up bet, a special sequence starts where the numbers on the wheel shift, steampunk style, into multipliers. Then another lava ball erupts out to pick the multiplier for the straight-up bet win. These multipliers can be as much as 333x and apply to all straight up bets that land in the round. That means the player could win up to 999x their bet.
An eruption of innovation
What sparked this game’s theme is once again related to Cinematic RNG. We’ve got this amazing technology that gives us a huge amount of flexibility. It lets us make hyper-realistic looking games with any kind of action and put them in any setting we choose.
So one of our designers got the idea to have a roulette wheel where the numbers could drop down, shift, flip over and pop back up with different numbers, all of which would happen in an old-fashioned, mechanical looking way.
We were also having ongoing discussions about how to revamp the process of releasing the ball onto the table. And after a few sessions at the drawing board, we had the great idea of including a volcano.
Between the steaming volcano and the mechanical action of the changing numbers, the steampunk theme basically chose itself. Our 3D designers then set to work creating all the mechanical lightbulbs, cogs turning and all these different dials that give the game its character.
A degree of familiarity
Volcano Roulette is obviously a huge departure from what long-time players are used to. The challenge with revamping a classic is ensuring that when you innovate, you retain those elements of the game that the players love. That’s a balance that I believe Real Dealer Studios has managed to achieve.
That brings us to the question of whether online roulette needs a makeover. And the answer is both yes and no. As you can imagine, different players are after different experiences from the games that they play. Some prefer the classics while others want something completely new.
When this table game first moved into the digital space, it started off as a computer animation. It later improved, but still has that animated RNG feel. Later live games came in and have gained their own following. But for existing table game players used to that classic bricks-and-mortar casino feel or just looking for something higher quality, there was nothing out there.
Seeing this, we developed cinematic RNG to deliver a much better online experience, with enhanced audio-visual quality and heightened gameplay compared to other table games you find online. I wouldn’t call this a makeover – it’s getting back to what this game is all about and doing a better job of it in the online environment.
Of course, there are other players who are expecting new twists to the game. The key to catering to these different demands from players is to have an extensive portfolio that spans multiple themes and includes a range of features. Some might be done in classic style and include a dealer, others might be automatic and have multipliers.
Attracting new audiences
Where a full-fledged makeover becomes useful is when you’re trying to cross-sell table games to the larger pools of players coming from sportsbook and slots. The challenge here, however, is that each of these two demographics requires a completely unique approach.
To reach sports bettors, for example, we have created games that tie into real-world sporting events. Just last year, we had Hockey Fever Roulette which was launched for the Ice Hockey World Championship in May. The game was set in a man cave loaded with fan memorabilia and had rock music playing in the background. It was everything you would want in a hockey-themed game.
That was then followed by Rugby Fever Roulette, which was launched ahead of the Rugby World Cup. We wanted to make this game more personalised for each player, so we built a feature where players could choose between dealers and switch the visuals and thematics to match their favourite team.
Obviously, attracting new audiences was a major focus for these two games. But creating sports-themed titles also provided our operator partners with an opportunity to work our games into their event promotions. So, it had marketing benefits too.
Engaging with slots players is a completely different ballgame, however. Traditionally, there isn’t much cross-over between slots and table games. We therefore had to find a common ground between the two verticals. This is where slots-type features like multipliers, collect features and unique designs came into play. Cinematic RNG has really helped us here, letting us create some fantastic mechanics and immersive designs catering to the slots crowd.
Recently we took an even bolder step into the slots realm by partnering with the producers of an enormously popular slots title, 9 Masks of Fire. Our roulette version of the legendary game became an instant hit.
As 2024 progresses, we have plenty more titles in the pipeline which we are confident will offer a new spin on the classics and continue to drive engagement with players. Stay tuned!
The post Real Dealer Studios: Offering a fresh spin on classic roulette appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The madness of Cheltenham and Grand National has been and gone. Congratulations on surviving; you’ve made it through and live to fight another day. So, what’s top of the agenda for today? Preparation for the 2025 edition’s of the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, of course!
Here are the six key planning and strategy points to consider in order to give yourself the best possible chance of success next spring.
The work begins now
Yes, Cheltenham 2025 is a long time away. But everything is fresh in your mind as of this moment. Many of the changes you may end up acting on could take a long time to execute, and there’s undoubtedly going to be countless foreseen and unforeseen priorities between now and the end of the year. Start now whilst 2024 performance is fresh in your mind and fresh within the wider business psyche. Keep the festival mindset running for as long as possible to maintain momentum and get flying out the stalls.
Involve all parts of the business
This is not just an exercise for the IT department. Every relevant stakeholder from around the business should be represented. What were customers saying to Customer Services? How did Trading cope when their bet tickers slowed down? What offers and promotions did Marketing take note of that they would like to offer next time? Bring in stakeholders from all business arms to create a holistic view of where the opportunities lie and what challenges need to be overcome.
Look at the data
Get hold of all of your performance metrics from every component of your systems and take the time to do a deep-dive analysis on those numbers. If you haven’t got all the metrics that you’d like to have to hand? Well, there’s your starting point for the list of ‘things to fix immediately’.
Be honest with yourselves
Getting business involvement, analysing all the data, and prompt planning is all well and good. But if you’re not going to be brutally honest with yourselves as an organisation, it may be all for nothing. Yes, it’s important to acknowledge everyone’s hard work and remember all the things that you did right. But you also have to be your own harshest critics about what didn’t go so well and what could be improved on. There’s really no point in doing all this if you’re not going to seriously challenge yourselves to do better.
Next year won’t be the same as this year
You’re going to be delivering a various new features and functionalities, as well as making many changes to your internal systems over the next twelve months. So the technical landscape that 2025’s Cheltenham Festival and Grand National inhabited will be very different to the one just gone. How will that fancy new bet builder widget in development hold up under the unique stresses of Grand National day? What will your new AI recommendations engine do when everyone’s betting on just one event? You don’t need to answer these questions right now, and it’s highly likely that you won’t be able to answer all of these questions now. But you need to bake in consideration of Cheltenham and Grand National to your non-functional requirements for every change you make in the coming months.
Get a high-level plan diarised
You need to start now but you can’t finish now. This is something you’re going to need to come back to periodically until those Cheltenham gates open. It’s a simple but powerful scheduling task: put the key staging posts in relevant team’s diaries now. You don’t want wake up in a cold sweat one morning in January realising that you’re two months out from the Greatest Show on Turf and haven’t made notable progress on the fixes required from this year’s festivals.
By: Graham Cassell, Partner at Circle Squared
The post Cheltenham and Grand National 2025 start now appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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