Spectrum Gaming Group has gone live with its 15th annual list of ‘Most Important Trends,’ highlighting those the global gaming industry needs to watch out for in the coming year.
Spectrum is a consultancy specializing in the regulation/policy of legalized gambling worldwide and in the economics. They have provided independent research to both public- and private sector since 1993. Gaming regulators and operators worldwide recognize the consultancy for delivering transparent and credible research withstanding “the highest levels of scrutiny.”
The trends are presented in order of prominence, and in short, below.
Integrated Resorts to Flourish
The company judges that an increasing number of jurisdictions will aim to authorize integrated resorts (IR). The authorization is to follow a competitive bidding process, “as the most effective means of leveraging gaming as an economic tool to help achieve their policy goals.”
Japan is expected to appoint a board to oversee its IR regulations (yet to be drafted), while the petitioning IR prefectures are to be selected by the national government.
Streaming of Casino Games in China Doomed
The online gambling industry is set to face difficult times in Asia. Spectrum predicts that continent’s regulators will crack down on various activities, including “the streaming of casino games to China from the Philippines and Cambodia.”
In view of that, certain changes are likely to occur in the Asian junket industry. The predicted patterns picture some junkets switching to casino operations and others – going out of business. “The reliance on junkets diminishes in Macau and Macau continues to evolve as a mass and premium-mass market,” the report reads.
Proliferation of Sports Betting in the US
Sports betting legislation in the US is projected to “continue to proliferate” and will gain momentum. Spectrum expects “at least nine state governments and lotteries” to begin the authorization of sports betting. The fiscal needs of the states is named as the main reason.
As a direct result of the sports betting proliferation, the “relatively slow acceptance and expansion of online gaming in the US” is expected to fasten its pace.
Lotteries to Expand into iGaming
Lotteries are likely to show interest in expanding into the iGaming sector. Again, one of the reasons is to be found in the sports betting growth, which is predicted to create “competitive tensions” in the jurisdictions featuring both casinos (tribal or commercial) and lotteries. New policies will need to be established, in order to “provide limits as to the online channels and offerings that lotteries and casinos can pursue.”
Land-Based Casinos to “Push Back”
Companies previously uninvolved in any form of legal gaming (sports bars, restaurants, and similar) will seek to expand further into the sector. Mostly, they will choose to become lottery retailers.
On top of the abovementioned nine states, additional ones are projected to expand their gaming offer, by obtaining “additional licenses, lottery expansions, retail gaming, and other means.” The move will force land-based casinos to “push back.”
Regulatory Policies for Lotteries
Lotteries interested in expanding their offer to include mobile and online sports betting will be pressed to adopt regulatory policies previously limited to gaming operators exclusively. These imply “more robust, comprehensive licensing of retailers, as well as rules governing areas.”
Compacts to Include Online-, Sports Betting Rules
States and tribal governments with existing compacts that exclude online and/or sports betting will be pressured to open compact negotiations in order to address these two points.
European, Asian Sports Betting Providers to Rush to the US
Asian and European sports betting and online gaming providers will intensify their efforts to enter the US market. Many of those are likely to “face challenges,” due to their former ventures into gray and black markets. The situation will bring about the development of “clear, uniform definitions as to what constitutes a gray or black market.”
With the expansion of online- and sports betting in the US, legislators will have to restrict/regulate advertising, following “similar plans under consideration by some major European jurisdictions.”
Rise of eSports
An increasing number of pari-mutuel and gaming operators will seek eSports offerings. The main reason: to address the issue of the aging slot demographics ad to “better leverage under-utilized space.” The offer will range from eSports as an amenity to eSports as a betting opportunity
European players to “Hunt for US acquisitions”
Online gaming consolidation, accompanied by mergers and acquisitions, is expected to continue. Online sportsbooks will be the main target of operators and suppliers. Consequently, suppliers are expected to “be hunting for US acquisitions as well.”
Source:
“Annual Top Trends in Gaming”, spectrumgaming.com
jade
6 years ago
Super Hero
Lotteries here, in the US, well, in Georgia, have already expanded into igaming. These lotteries are all owned and managed by the state government. They have pushed out small businesses providing mostly Cadillac Jack nudge games in bars, convenient stores and small restaurants. They have these owners arrested for giving...
Lotteries here, in the US, well, in Georgia, have already expanded into igaming. These lotteries are all owned and managed by the state government. They have pushed out small businesses providing mostly Cadillac Jack nudge games in bars, convenient stores and small restaurants. They have these owners arrested for giving cash to their winners, instead of merchandise and lottery tickets. Before the state lotteries took over the management of these games, small businesses were making millions of dollars, every year. Here in Georgia, arrests continue with small businesses being seized by authorities, then sold or auctioned, while the owners are fined and jailed. It's sad, for players and the small businesses that are involved!
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