Industry News
Games Global – setting the standard in iGaming
Games Global made an instant impact upon entering the iGaming scene last May, and has seen wonderful growth in its debut year, firmly establishing itself as the pre-eminent supplier in the industry. We sit down with Chief People and Transformation Officer, Leila Goelz, to reflect on the brand’s impressive success so far and the role its people play in the company’s success.
The last year has been nothing short of a whirlwind, and we have gained great momentum as our company has evolved and our team has grown. Our strategic objectives have been ambitious but we have come together to deliver. I couldn’t be prouder of our Globlalites who have truly embraced the values of Games Global with passion and dedication to achieve our vision, To Be The One.
Any business is only as good as its people, and at Games Global, we are privileged to have a diverse team, who are the heartbeat of our company. We constantly seek opportunities to drive an engaging, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone can bring their best selves to work. We want our people to thrive and be the best they want to be.
We’ve defined who we are as a business and created strong corporate values that resonate with our people to build a culture that everyone can relate to and feel a true sense of belonging. Over a year in and our culture continues to evolve whilst staying true to our values of Authenticity, Boldness, Togetherness and Responsibility.
As a global business, we have carefully created and implemented a range of global policies whilst appreciating the cultural nuances and ways of working within each of our locations and teams. It is not a one size fits all approach. For our business to continue to innovate, evolve, and achieve success we must sustain an environment that fosters diversity, inspires creativity, and breeds innovation.
How the iGaming industry is becoming an interesting proposition
This industry has always been fast paced. This in turn creates exciting job opportunities across the industry with a diverse range of roles requiring unique skill sets. However, we must ensure that we evolve to remain competitive from a talent perspective and the working environment is a key component, as this helps us to underpin the culture we wish to create.
Technology is obviously key in iGaming and to remain ahead of the curve, technology advancement is critical to success. As such, the industry landscape is rich in opportunities for working with the latest technologies and innovations offering exciting career opportunities. The technology space as a whole is highly competitive and is constantly advancing. iGaming is now competing with the wider technology industry; strategies to attract and retain talent have never been more important.
An environment that is engaging, encourages collaboration, fosters innovation, and appeals to our diverse demographic is critical. Our policies and processes need to support a positive working environment, we must take care of the basic needs of our people, have quality technology and tools and our leaders must be empowered and take accountability to support their teams.
To attract the best, we need to provide and be the best. The iGaming industry has in the past led the way in this space, pushing other sectors to up their game in terms of the working culture.
Hiring of talent within our industry is competitive yet despite these challenges we have experienced a headcount growth rate of over 30%. People have joined us from all over the world across a variety of roles and each bring with them great value to our culture and business.
Retaining the best talent comes with great responsibility. Our People Strategy is committed to the support, development and growth of our people and we take this seriously. Over the past 12 months we achieved a promotion rate of 11% in comparison to SHRM’s benchmarking report stating 6% as the average, but there is room for improvement.
We have a robust talent management strategy in place which is continually evolving and for 2023 we have a commitment to increasing our internal hires to ensure we are getting our people ready for the next stage in their career which results in a bigger internal talent pool.
Strong internal and external partnerships
Integrating new studio partners worldwide adds to our collective knowledge base and our content portfolio, which engages a variety of audiences and diversifies our product offering.
There are a number of fundamental factors that we look for in our studio partners. We look for brands that are bold but make decisions backed by data and research. We love innovation and seek out projects that push our imagination and leave a positive mark on the industry.
We want to work with creative and passionate people, who share the same drive as we do in delivering cutting edge content. Authenticity is essential, as we aim to remain true to ourselves, to our ethos, and to each other.
This shared passion and vision allows us to create memorable experiences for players. We are able to boast a catalogue of iconic titles and a constant stream of innovative content that includes the biggest range of jackpot products.
Our diversity is our strength, and it was evident in the quality of work produced and delivered over the past year. We’ve exceeded expectations on multiple fronts and I can’t wait to see how our teams raise the game even further in the coming months.
At Games Global we endeavour to go above and beyond to ensure high-quality products are delivered. We thrive as a team and succeed as one. Together, we achieve. Together, we can Be The One.
Light & Wonder Inc. announced it will showcase its diverse portfolio of innovations for land-based casinos and the digital gaming sector at the 2023 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Oct. 10-13 in Las Vegas.
The Company will unveil cutting-edge content housed on revolutionary hardware within its G2E booth #1116. The portfolio reflects the company’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the player experience through dynamic customer-focused solutions.
“Light & Wonder is proud to present a stellar lineup of new and beloved content at this year’s G2E, reaffirming our commitment to building great games for multiple platforms. Our focused investment in research and development underscores our commitment to delivering customer-centric innovation and an unparalleled player experience,” Matt Wilson, CEO of Light & Wonder, said.
Gaming innovations showcased within L&W’s booth #1116 include:
Slots That Excite: Building on the global success of the Company’s MONOPOLY-themed content, Light & Wonder will introduce three new MONOPOLY games housed on the all-new LANDMARK 7000 MONOPOLYCASH WHEEL. The new hardware marks the evolution of the top-performing Landmark 7000 gaming machine and will debut alongside the Landmark 7000 Transparent.
The Landmark 7000 Transparent brings video elements to the stepper space with a video reel glass screen for dynamic content delivery. The stand-out cabinet will launch with four all-new titles including HUFF N’ PUFF 3 and BANG! BAM! BOOM!
Elevated Class II Content: L&W will demonstrate its commitment to Class II content with the unveiling of the game-changing REEL WINNERS Wide Area Progressive (WAP) Link. The innovative link will make its G2E debut with the Class II version of the top-performing FRANKENSTEIN theme on the COSMIC cabinet. Introduced earlier this year, the cabinet offers a built-in reserve for a faster reset to deliver a seamless player experience.
Industry-Leading Table Games: The Company’s new table progressive system featuring a never-before-seen coin sensor technology will make its premiere within L&W’s G2E booth. This industry-first technology offers a built-in LCD screen, an eye-catching 27-inch LED-trimmed sign and updated software with new bonusing features and enhanced reporting.
Attendees can experience Light & Wonder’s POWERX ROULETTE which takes the classic roulette experience to the next level with a two-level progressive jackpot and offers players the chance to win up to 750 times the value of their wager on a single number.
iGaming: The Company will shine a spotlight on its expanded content roadmap and upcoming network capabilities as part of its iGaming portfolio. Attendees can get a firsthand look at innovations such as True Multiplayer, operator-funded marketing jackpots, daily free games, player retention mechanisms and in-game tournaments.
Systems: The Company’s system-agnostic global platform, L&W ENGAGE, will also be on display within the L&W booth. L&W ENGAGE enables operators to leverage data to execute a cohesive curated customer journey at every touchpoint regardless of location, vertical or platform. With L&W ENGAGE’s new Artificial Intelligence tool, operators have access to insights such as player habits, offer preferences and the ability to push real-time marketing to customers. The system’s third-party integration allows for a seamless experience at any property.
Enrico Drago
IGT Demonstrates Market Leadership and Momentum Across Gaming Product and Solutions Portfolio at G2E 2023
International Game Technology PLC (IGT) announced that it will present a vast portfolio of gaming, iGaming, and sports betting solutions in the Company’s impressive booth at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2023, Oct. 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nev. Featuring more than 200 innovations and covering 19,000-plus square feet, IGT’s G2E showcase will clearly reflect the Company’s commitment to performance, quality and innovation, highlight its leadership as a technology-first omnichannel solutions provider and embody its G2E theme: “We’ve Got Game”.
“Backed by the momentum of several sequential quarters of strong Global Gaming performance, IGT is incredibly excited to connect with our customers at G2E and demonstrate how we’re leveraging key strengths and partnerships, in combination with next-generation technologies to propel their growth and shape the future of gaming. IGT’s focus on product performance, player satisfaction and the power of omnichannel gaming experiences will be evidenced in our G2E portfolio and by solutions such as Mystery of the Lamp, our MESA 4K ETG terminal, new Wheel of Fortune games and so much more,” Renato Ascoli, CEO of Global Gaming at IGT, said.
“Over the last 12 months, IGT PlayDigital has consistently delivered the highest-quality content, maintained operational excellence and sharpened its market-attunement strategies to drive our customers’ performance and profitability to the highest levels. G2E will be an important platform for IGT PlayDigital to demonstrate how we’re well-positioned for the future and how we plan to fuel the next chapter of our customers’ growth through our award-winning PlaySports team and technology, vast omnichannel content portfolio and highly sophisticated content aggregation and delivery platforms,” Enrico Drago, CEO of IGT PlayDigital, said.
Of the hundreds of innovations in IGT booth 3659, some of the most anticipated products will include:
Star-Studded New Licensed Game, Whitney Houston Slots: A collaboration with the Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, IGT’s all-new Whitney Houston Slots game will garner a standing ovation on the G2E floor. Rich with player-favorite game mechanics such as Stacked Wilds, Cash on Reels, lock and respin and persistence features, the Whitney Houston Slots game engages players with iconic Whitney Houston imagery and entertains with chart-topping hits such as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “So Emotional,” and “How will I Know”. The game will debut on a new state-of-the-art form factor that is sure to attract attention from every corner of a gaming floor.
Captivating, Performance-Tested Multi-Level Progressives (MLP): IGT will propel its undeniable momentum in the MLP category with standout games across its premium and core game portfolios. The player-favorite Mystery of the Lamp MLP game will be a focal point of IGT’s premium portfolio and will accompany other exciting games, including Regal Link and new base game themes, Ji Xiang Ru Yi and Xi Chu Wang Wai, for the award-winning Prosperity Link MLP. From the core segment, IGT’s MLPs Kitty Glitter Grand, Samurai 888 Spin and the high-performing Magic Treasures game will all be on display.
New Spin on Wheel of Fortune Slots: G2E attendees can look forward to the iconic beckoning of “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” as IGT celebrates its extended relationship with Wheel of Fortune and new omnichannel games. From the Company’s premium portfolio, Wheel of Fortune Big Money Week will make its trade show debut. The wide-area progressive game is housed on the towering Peak65 cabinet and includes a compelling persistence feature with a growing coin stack that can help players trigger the beloved Wheel Bonus. G2E will also be a showcase for the Wheel of Fortune Diamond Deluxe game and IGT PlayDigital’s Wheel of Fortune Triple Red Hot 7s Gold Spin.
Player-Preferred High-Limit Games and Hardware: As a long-time leader in high-limit slots, IGT is doubling down in this segment, giving it a dedicated section within its G2E booth. A must-see product will be a new, high-limit version of the DiamondRS cabinet with new stepper games Double Diamond Deluxe and Triple Double Gold Doubloons. Also, in the high-limit zone of IGT’s booth will be compelling high-limit core video game bundles featuring proven game themes such as Stinkin’ Rich, Cats and Wolf Run, and the legendary Game King and All Star Poker video poker games.
MESA 4K Electronic Table Games (ETG) Terminal: Following extensive player and operator focus testing, IGT’s revolutionary MESA 4K ETG terminal will make its global debut. Featuring a 27-inch ultra-HD display, the MESA 4K terminal enables players to play up to four different table games at once, as well as a mix of live and RNG games simultaneously. The terminal comes with many merchandising and configurability options, gives players user-friendly access to game statistics such as hot and cold numbers and provides roulette players with visibility to roughly 60% of the virtual roulette wheel, nearly twice the industry standard.
Elevated Player Convenience via New IGT ADVANTAGE apps: IGT has further enhanced its award-winning Resort Wallet with IGTPay cashless solution with must-see features Tip Ticket, which gives players the option to tip service staff with on-machine funds, and One Time Passcode (OTP), which elevates account security via a one-time account pin. G2E will also be the trade show debut for several IGT ADVANTAGE apps and on-machine conveniences that eliminate trips to kiosks and player loyalty desks. IGT will showcase its Gift & Go integration, which enables on-demand gifting in a slot machine’s service window or secondary display via IGT’s M5 content management technology. IGT will also spotlight additional self-service apps such as Beverage on Demand, iReserve, Taxable Accrual, Player Enrollment and more.
Omnichannel PlayDigital Game Content: With one of the strongest online game libraries in North America, IGT PlayDigital will spotlight new omnichannel games Prosperity Link and Money Mania, both acclaimed titles that have amassed significant player affinity in land-based casinos. The games will join IGT PlayDigital’s other omnichannel games such as Wheel of Fortune Triple Gold Gold Spin, the first and only omnichannel WAP jackpot in the US. IGT PlayDigital will also highlight the power and versatility of its engagement platform, which offers customers a suite of unique features such as cash drops, jackpots and tournaments to maximize the potential of every campaign.
As an end-to-end solutions provider, IGT will unveil performance-focused solutions across all its product lines. Additional innovations that will be represented in IGT’s booth will include:
- new titles to the Company’s industry-leading video poker portfolio with games such as Multipliers Rising video poker and Power Stacks Poker.
- the Company’s newest TournXtreme title, Stinkin’ Rich Tournament.
- the all-new VLT-focused Fort Knox Linked Jackpot game and IGT’s next-generation VLT systems technology, IntelligenEVO.
- the end-to-end PlaySports solutions, complete with self-service betting technologies such as the PlaySports BetPad and the CrystalFlex and PeakBarTop with Total Gaming software.
- a range of Washington CDS (Central Determination System) games and Class II games that build on popular game themes and incorporate player-favorite including Ji Xiang Ru Yi, Magic Wishes and Medusa Queen of Stone Cash Eruption.
- new Historical Horse Racing (HHR) games including Panther Pride, Tiger Pride and Game King video poker.
Blazesoft
Blazesoft Introduces its Latest Venture Zula Casino and Reveals a $10M Investment into its Upcoming Sports Venture
Blazesoft, a North American leader in the online entertainment industry, has announced its brand new venture ZulaCasino.com. The new social casino with sweepstakes features hundreds of casino-style slots, fish, and crash games supplied by the leading gaming providers across the globe. Zula Casino offers daily jackpots, tournaments, a loyalty program, and captivating promotions in an effort to always improve the player experience.
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Blazesoft, Yuliy German, said: “Zula Casino’s launch marks a significant milestone in Blazesoft’s journey to redefine the gaming experience. In keeping with our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled entertainment, we’re excited to offer players a truly engaging and enjoyable platform that uniquely blends social gaming with sweepstakes elements.”
This is Blazesoft’s second social casino brand, following the massive success of FortuneCoins.com, which has been live in the US and Canada for over 18 months. With over 3 million registered players, partnerships with more than 30 esteemed gaming providers, hundreds of games, and a consistent monthly growth rate, it is evident that a proof of concept will lay the groundwork for future success.
Blazesoft’s plans to scale don’t stop with Zula Casino. The company announced a $10 million investment into its future sports brand, Sportzino.com. First of its kind, Sportzino will blend the worlds of social sports and casino-style gaming, offering a diverse range of sports and leagues, virtual sports, esports, hundreds of slots, bingo, and other game categories, daily tournaments, contests, and promotions.
Blazesoft CEO Mickey Blayvas said: “Blazesoft continues to be a leader in the online entertainment arena in North America; and Fortune Coins, Zula Casino, and Sportzino each reflect our ultimate ambition to being the number one player in the market. With our introduction to the sports market in 2024, we anticipate Blazesoft’s growth trajectory will skyrocket as we plan for substantial market expansion.”
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