Egaming industry predictions for 2018 - including poker and potential licence suspensions

Alexander Stevendahl, CEO at Videoslots.com

1. Social responsibility to become pro-active

Increasingly in recent years, regulators have been less forgiving when it comes to operator and affiliate activities that encroach even on the fringes of their legislation. These regulators have limited markets liable to be spot fixed, made affiliates more accountable and cracked down on anything that strays close to underage marketing. What I expect to see in the year ahead is operators and suppliers looking at their product and marketing strategies with a keener eye on social responsibility, long before regulators have a chance to intervene. I can’t talk on behalf of sports betting operators but when it comes to casino, this will come in the form of stronger KYC models, more transparent return-to-player figures and promotional campaigns exclusive to regulated customers rather than appealing to jurisdictions.

2. Online poker mark II

Poker has become somewhat of the forgotten-man when it comes to online gaming verticals, but the area still has so much potential for players and operators if it can be managed and marketed in the right way. The sector has been dominated by few, large operators which has allowed for some innovation, but nowhere near as much as I believe possible. Online poker has been hemorrhaging market share for years as it competes with more adaptable sports betting and casino products. However, in the new year, Videoslots is set to turn this tide and launch a reinvigorated poker product appealing to a wider audience. Incorporating tools and features from our social-led casino, Videoslots’ poker will offer players a more interactive experience using 3D technology and engaging social elements. It will change the face of online poker and make the vertical appealing to the more casual user who plays for fun. I’ve said before that I want this to be the ‘fishiest’ poker product around, and we’re just months away from bringing this to market.

3. New-school slots to break into mainstream

The online slots space has been transformed by new, more agile suppliers bringing fresh ideas and ambition to the space in recent years. This, accompanied by the enhanced platform that HTML5 provides, has allowed a new breed of slots to come to market, providing a more varied experience for players. New titles which incorporate gamified elements, side games, and elements taken from video games, will become the norm in the year ahead, with both major and emerging suppliers prioritising them in their product roadmaps. There’ll still be a strong demand for the traditional, straightforward reels, but with the new millennial demographic now a key player in the sector, it’s important that as an industry we can service their greater demand.

Stephen Ketteley, partner, Wiggin

1. The Gambling Commission go for the jugular

The last 12 months saw significant regulatory interventions by the Gambling Commission as they sought to stamp their authority on an industry that they have come to the conclusion is deficient across a number of key compliance related areas.  We see no reason why this should not continue and, if anything, deepen as the consequences of non-compliance become more and more dramatic. A licence suspension or revocation could happen and individual sanctions may occur too. That would really focus the mind.

2. Don’t forget the law

As well as Gambling Commission intervention, we will see a culmination of the Competition and Markets Authority investigation, further scrutiny by the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Advertising Standards Authority and a potential for more attention to be paid to the industry by the Police.  The gambling industry remains subject to an array of laws and regulations that, whilst they are incorporated into gambling licence conditions, operate independently and are overseen by wider regulatory authorities and agencies who will continue to take aim at the industry, often working in conjunction with the Gambling Commission in order to get their point across.

3. A new shade of grey?

The European Commission have withdrawn a number of infringement proceedings against EU Member States who have hitherto enacted incompatible gambling regulations and laws. The industry’s resolve to supply cross-border within Europe will be tested.  Some Member States may see the European Commission’s move as an excuse to up their enforcement activities and this will test a legal position adopted by the industry that should, in theory at least, remain unaffected by the European Commission’s political decision not to pursue Member States for ignoring their EU Treaty obligations.