The Real Source of Success
Playtech is looking to repeat its European success to become a preeminent supplier for North America’s embryonic iGaming market
IN THIS ISSUE: APRIL 2023
THE REAL SOURCE OF SUCCESS Playtech is looking to repeat its European success to become a preeminent supplier for North America’s embryonic iGaming marketSKILL OR LUCK? States continue to battle unregulated “skill games,” and gaming associations continue to seek their ban, as a few states begin to regulate and tax the slot-like gamesCHANGING BOUNDARIES Fee-to-trust rule changes and their implications for tribal gamingEVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS Will the biennial gambling debate finally bear fruit in the Lone Star State?ARISTOCRAT TOPS DIVERSE FIELD IN EKG SLOT AWARDS While Aristocrat took the top award as best slot supplier in the 5th EKG Slot Awards, individual awards yielded to a more diverse field of winners.
Features More
Skill or Luck?
States continue to battle unregulated “skill games,” and gaming associations continue to seek their ban, as a few states begin to regulate and tax the slot-like games
Changing Boundaries
Fee-to-trust rule changes and their implications for tribal gaming
Everything is Bigger in Texas
Will the biennial gambling debate finally bear fruit in the Lone Star State?
Aristocrat Tops Diverse Field in EKG Slot Awards
While Aristocrat again took the top award as best overall slot supplier in the fifth EKG Slot Awards, its former dominance of the individual awards yielded to a more diverse field of winners.
The Agenda
Life Changer
That free dealer training might just be the ticket
PODCASTS
GAMING SUPPLIER SHOWCASE
SlotCycle - GGB Gaming Supplier Showcase
GGB Gaming Supplier Showcase: Roger Gros, publisher of GGB Magazine, is joined by Jeff Jordan, managing director of SlotCycle, to discuss the unique business model of recycling slot machines, parts and other gaming industry...
Ainsworth Game Technology Ultra Shot
Frank Legato, editor of GGB Magazine, is joined again by Mike Trask, vice president of product marketing at Ainsworth Game Technology, to discuss its new Ultra Shot game series and how it will combine...
Kambi Looks to Grow Tribal Footprint at IGA 2023
GGB Gaming Supplier Showcase: Jess Marquez, managing editor of GGB Magazine, is joined again by David Bretnitz, senior director of sales at Kambi, to discuss the company's plans to grow its presence in the...
Gaming Supplier Showcase: Bluberi Gaming
Bluberi Gaming Chief Product Officer Mike Brennan talks about the leaps and bounds made by the supplier during the last 18 months, and how Bluberi will follow up its award-winning game Devil's Lock.
Jonathon Hurst Kambi -- GGB Supplier Showcase
GGB Gaming Supplier Showcase: Jess Marquez, managing editor of GGB Magazine, connects with Kambi’s Head of Soccer Jonathan Hurst during ICE London 2023 to recap the historic success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,...
Oskar Fröberg Abios with Kambi
GGB Gaming Supplier Showcase: Jess Marquez, managing editor of GGB Magazine, catches up with Abios CEO Oskar Fröberg at ICE London 2023 to talk about the growth of the international esports market in recent...
Morton Tonnesen Shape Games -- GGB Supplier Showcase
Jess Marquez, managing editor of GGB Magazine, is joined by Morten Tonnesen, chief commercial officer for Shape Games, live from the floor of ICE London 2023 to discuss the impact that a well-performing front...
Kambi's BetBuilder Modularization Efforts
GGB Gaming Supplier Showcase: Jess Marquez, Managing Editor of GGB Magazine discusses modularization and BetBuilder with David Bretnitz, Sr. Director of Sales for Kambi. Kambi is a B2B sports betting platform provider of premium...
COLUMNS
American Gaming Association
Right Revenue Mix
Land-based gaming revenue remains strong but sports betting and iGaming continue to rise
Fantini's Finance
Four for Four
Eldorado, Monarch, Golden and Full House would have been good stock choices—if you listened
Frankly Speaking
Still in the Building
After 11 months, it looks as if the Elvis Presley controversy in Las Vegas wedding chapels has died down. Thank goodness.
FEATURES
The Real Source of Success
Playtech is looking to repeat its European success to become a preeminent supplier for North America’s embryonic iGaming market
The House Always Wins
The fall and rise of gaming throughout the Covid-19 pandemic
Instant Action
Micro betting brings constant acton—and big revenues—to the sports betting business
Aristocrat Tops Diverse Field in EKG Slot Awards
While Aristocrat again took the top award as best overall slot supplier in the fifth EKG Slot Awards, its former dominance of the individual awards yielded to a more diverse field of winners.
Everything is Bigger in Texas
Will the biennial gambling debate finally bear fruit in the Lone Star State?
Changing Boundaries
Fee-to-trust rule changes and their implications for tribal gaming
DEPARTMENTS
5 Questions More
Matt Sodl
Founding Partner, President and Managing Director, Innovation Capital
Casino Communications More
Sal Semola
Sal Semola, President & CEO, Gun Lake Casino
New Game Review More
Diamond Jackpots
IGT
Lucky Bao Bei
Eclipse Gaming Systems
Thunder Cash X: Candelas de Los Muertos
Novomatic Americas
Vegas Gold
AGS
Cutting Edge More
Real-Time Cashless
PRODUCT: Cashless Casino * MANUFACTURER: Acres Manufacturing
All In One
PRODUCT: Self-Ordering Kiosks * MANUFACTURER: Pye
Emerging Leaders More
Forging the Path to Success
Marissa Coleman, Vice President, Business Development, Gaming Society
Skeptic Slayer
Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Founder and CEO, Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC
Two-Time Winner
Diego Mejia, Sales Manager, Casino and Gaming, TransAct Technologies Inc.
March 27-30, 2023: Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, the largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country. San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. https://www.indiangamingtradeshow.com/510/indian-gaming-tradeshow-home.htm
March 29-30, 2023: Prague Gaming & TECH Summit ’23, Vienna House Andel’s Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. Produced by Hipther. For more information, visit Hipther.com.
April 19-20, 2023: East Coast Gaming Congress, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Produced by Spectrum Gaming and Cooper Levenson. For more information visit eastcoastgamingcongress.com. For sponsorship information, contact Donna Vecere at dvecere@cooperlevenson.com.
April 19-20, 2023: SAGSE Latin America, Hilton Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Closed and exclusive event for operators, regulators and sponsors. For more information visit https://www.sagselatam.com/en.
May 3, 2023: 24th Annual AGEM + AGA Golf Classic, Cascata Golf Club, Las Vegas, NV. Swing into the 24th Annual AGEM/AGA Golf Classic Presented by JCM Global tournament with thrilling contests and a wide selection of amazing raffle prizes. For more information visit https://golf.jcmglobal.com/.
May 9-11, 2023: SBC Summit North America, . The Leading Sports Betting and iGaming event in North America. Organized by SBC. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-north-america.
May 15-17, 2023: Casino Marketing Boot Camp, General Managers Edition, Rolling Hills Casino Resort, Corning, California Produced by J Carcamo & Associates.For more information visit CasinoMarketingBootCamp.com.
May 23-25, 2023: CasinoBeats Summit (CBS), InterContinental in St Julian’s, Malta. Produced by SBC. For more information, visit SBCEvents.com.
May 23-25, 2023: Gambling & Risk Taking Conference, Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV. Produced by UNLV. For more information, visit www.unlv.edu/igi/conference.
May 25-27, 2023: Gambling Brasil, Frei Caneca Convention Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Produced by Afiliados Brasil. For more information, visit GamblingBrasil.com.
June 13-15, 2023: Canadian Gaming Summit, offers multiple and creative ways to connect with your staff, peers, suppliers and clients. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Produced by the Canadian Gaming Association and SBC For more information visit https://www.canadiangamingsummit.com.
June 14-18, 2023: SIGMA Americas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. SiGMA America’s first event for the market is perfectly timed to connect its wide-reaching network in the West with Latin America’s leading suppliers, operators, and affiliates. For more information visit sigma.world/americas.
June 20-23, 2023: International Gaming Summit, (IAGA) Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast, Northern Ireland. A premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming. For more information visit https://www.theiaga.org/2023-summit-preview.
July 17-19, 2023: AML Bootcamp + Cage Operations Conference, Sycuan Casino Resort, San Diego, CA. Join us at Sycuan Casino Resort in beautiful San Diego, CA for our single day AML Bootcamp and Cage Operations Conference. Our theme is "Learn, Connect and Belong" to this Gaming Community that is focused on best practices and education around tools and automation that enhance the gaming experience in uncertain times. For more information visit https://skiild.com.
July 19-22, 2023: SIGMA Asia, Manila, Philippines. With an eye towards new horizons, the SiGMA Group heads to Manila, connecting the sharpest minds in the sector, and bringing a vast network in the West closer to Asian suppliers, operators and affiliates. For more information visit sigma.world/asia.
August 14-16, 2023: OIGA Conference & Tradeshow, Cox Business Convention Center, Tulsa, OK. Lively, fun, informative, high-energy assembly of some of the biggest names in the gaming and hospitality industries. https://oiga.org/tradeshow.
September 4-7, 2023: SIGMA Balkins & CIS, Limassol, Cyprus. With the New Gambling Act of 2020 creating a more responsible, accountable, and well-regulated Land-based and iGaming sector in Serbia, the nation has the potential to host an even more robust, flourishing economic industry, attracting firms and talent from far beyond its shores as its local market swells. For more information visit sigma.world/cis.
September 18-21, 2023: Tribalnet Conference & Tradeshow, Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA. For more information visit www.tribalnetconference.com.
September 19-21, 2023: SBC Summit Barcelona, Fire De Barcelona, Montjuic. The global betting and igaming show. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-barcelona.
October 9-12, 2023: Global Gaming Expo, G2E is the one place to see the people, products, and ideas to drive your business forward and define the future of gaming. Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, NV. www.globalgamingexpo.com/en-us.html
October 31-November 2, 2023: SBC Summit Latinoamerica, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL. The conference and trade show for senior executives in the Latin American betting and gaming industry. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/en/sbc-summit-latinoamerica.
November 13-17, 2023: SIGMA Europe (Malta Week), Malta, MFCC (North Gate). Returning to its roots, SiGMA Europe attracts an international and diverse lineup of industry leaders to its annual Malta Week event, bringing a convergence of expo, conference, and networking. For more information visit sigma.world/europe.
November 22-23, 2023: BEGE, IEC, Sofia, Bulgaria. BEGE is one of the leading gaming and entertainment exhibitions in Europe. The show gathers 85+ exhibitors and over 6000 visitors from over 60 countries. Over the years, the event has gained the attention of leading companies and established itself as a preferred business venue and became meeting point for the gaming society. For more information visit www.balkangamingexpo.com.
November 22-23, 2023: EEGS IEC, Sofia, Bulgaria. The Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) is an annual gaming conference which brings together more than 50 speakers and 300+ delegates from all over world. With hundreds of leaders and thriving companies from the land-based and online gaming industry in attendance, EEGS covers groundbreaking subjects and discussions based on the latest trends, developments, and insights.For more information visit eegamingsummit.com/.
March 29-30, 2023: Prague Gaming & TECH Summit ’23, Vienna House Andel’s Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. Produced by Hipther. For more information, visit Hipther.com.
April 19-20, 2023: East Coast Gaming Congress, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Produced by Spectrum Gaming and Cooper Levenson. For more information visit eastcoastgamingcongress.com. For sponsorship information, contact Donna Vecere at dvecere@cooperlevenson.com.
April 19-20, 2023: SAGSE Latin America, Hilton Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Closed and exclusive event for operators, regulators and sponsors. For more information visit https://www.sagselatam.com/en.
May 3, 2023: 24th Annual AGEM + AGA Golf Classic, Cascata Golf Club, Las Vegas, NV. Swing into the 24th Annual AGEM/AGA Golf Classic Presented by JCM Global tournament with thrilling contests and a wide selection of amazing raffle prizes. For more information visit https://golf.jcmglobal.com/.
May 9-11, 2023: SBC Summit North America, . The Leading Sports Betting and iGaming event in North America. Organized by SBC. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-north-america.
May 15-17, 2023: Casino Marketing Boot Camp, General Managers Edition, Rolling Hills Casino Resort, Corning, California Produced by J Carcamo & Associates.For more information visit CasinoMarketingBootCamp.com.
May 23-25, 2023: CasinoBeats Summit (CBS), InterContinental in St Julian’s, Malta. Produced by SBC. For more information, visit SBCEvents.com.
May 23-25, 2023: Gambling & Risk Taking Conference, Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV. Produced by UNLV. For more information, visit www.unlv.edu/igi/conference.
May 25-27, 2023: Gambling Brasil, Frei Caneca Convention Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Produced by Afiliados Brasil. For more information, visit GamblingBrasil.com.
June 13-15, 2023: Canadian Gaming Summit, offers multiple and creative ways to connect with your staff, peers, suppliers and clients. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Produced by the Canadian Gaming Association and SBC For more information visit https://www.canadiangamingsummit.com.
June 14-18, 2023: SIGMA Americas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. SiGMA America’s first event for the market is perfectly timed to connect its wide-reaching network in the West with Latin America’s leading suppliers, operators, and affiliates. For more information visit sigma.world/americas.
June 20-23, 2023: International Gaming Summit, (IAGA) Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast, Northern Ireland. A premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming. For more information visit https://www.theiaga.org/2023-summit-preview.
July 17-19, 2023: AML Bootcamp + Cage Operations Conference, Sycuan Casino Resort, San Diego, CA. Join us at Sycuan Casino Resort in beautiful San Diego, CA for our single day AML Bootcamp and Cage Operations Conference. Our theme is "Learn, Connect and Belong" to this Gaming Community that is focused on best practices and education around tools and automation that enhance the gaming experience in uncertain times. For more information visit https://skiild.com.
July 19-22, 2023: SIGMA Asia, Manila, Philippines. With an eye towards new horizons, the SiGMA Group heads to Manila, connecting the sharpest minds in the sector, and bringing a vast network in the West closer to Asian suppliers, operators and affiliates. For more information visit sigma.world/asia.
August 14-16, 2023: OIGA Conference & Tradeshow, Cox Business Convention Center, Tulsa, OK. Lively, fun, informative, high-energy assembly of some of the biggest names in the gaming and hospitality industries. https://oiga.org/tradeshow.
September 4-7, 2023: SIGMA Balkins & CIS, Limassol, Cyprus. With the New Gambling Act of 2020 creating a more responsible, accountable, and well-regulated Land-based and iGaming sector in Serbia, the nation has the potential to host an even more robust, flourishing economic industry, attracting firms and talent from far beyond its shores as its local market swells. For more information visit sigma.world/cis.
September 18-21, 2023: Tribalnet Conference & Tradeshow, Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA. For more information visit www.tribalnetconference.com.
September 19-21, 2023: SBC Summit Barcelona, Fire De Barcelona, Montjuic. The global betting and igaming show. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-barcelona.
October 9-12, 2023: Global Gaming Expo, G2E is the one place to see the people, products, and ideas to drive your business forward and define the future of gaming. Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, NV. www.globalgamingexpo.com/en-us.html
October 31-November 2, 2023: SBC Summit Latinoamerica, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL. The conference and trade show for senior executives in the Latin American betting and gaming industry. For more information visit https://sbcevents.com/en/sbc-summit-latinoamerica.
November 13-17, 2023: SIGMA Europe (Malta Week), Malta, MFCC (North Gate). Returning to its roots, SiGMA Europe attracts an international and diverse lineup of industry leaders to its annual Malta Week event, bringing a convergence of expo, conference, and networking. For more information visit sigma.world/europe.
November 22-23, 2023: BEGE, IEC, Sofia, Bulgaria. BEGE is one of the leading gaming and entertainment exhibitions in Europe. The show gathers 85+ exhibitors and over 6000 visitors from over 60 countries. Over the years, the event has gained the attention of leading companies and established itself as a preferred business venue and became meeting point for the gaming society. For more information visit www.balkangamingexpo.com.
November 22-23, 2023: EEGS IEC, Sofia, Bulgaria. The Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) is an annual gaming conference which brings together more than 50 speakers and 300+ delegates from all over world. With hundreds of leaders and thriving companies from the land-based and online gaming industry in attendance, EEGS covers groundbreaking subjects and discussions based on the latest trends, developments, and insights.For more information visit eegamingsummit.com/.
