Platipus CEO Martijn Peters expressed that the studio’s heightened presence within Europe’s second largest online gaming space represents a vital step in achieving the slot studio’s global aspirations.
A recent agreement with Eurobet not only deepened the footprint of the igaming studio within Italy’s digital casino domain, but also strengthened ties with operator juggernaut Entain that stretches across the continent.
Despite this, everything is far from rosey within the nation. Impending changes set to be implemented are certainly set to shake things up, however, Peters asserts that in spite of the challenges that lie on the horizon, these represent a great opportunity for the industry to grow.
Italy: a foundation for wider success
The Italian online casino ecosystem has swelled to not only become a crucial aspect of the entire European region as a whole, but also a critical portion of the global operation of many organisations across the industry.
As referenced above, Platipus has recently elevated its position courtesy of an alignment with Entain’s Eurobet brand, with Peters continuing by touching upon how crucial cementing a position within the region is for the current and future prospects of the group.
“Establishing a strong presence in Italy is about more than just expanding our business. It’s about becoming part of a vibrant and exciting community,” he states.
“Italy plays a significant role in the igaming world, and by growing here, we connect with a diverse group of players, which is crucial for our development.
“This connection not only helps us expand but also gives us valuable insights into what local players love, allowing us to enhance our games.”
The igaming developer made its maiden steps within the region one year ago, with subsequent partnerships being struck alongside the likes of Microgame, Betflag, Netbet, and Scommettendo.
Furthermore, with its games also available on Tuko, Octavian Lab, and other local aggregators, this latest alliance with one of the country’s key players sees Platipus continue to build upon the solid foundations previously established.
“This is vital for our future, as it lays a stable foundation for continued innovation and competitiveness,” he notes. “By understanding and embracing what Italian players enjoy, we’re working towards our main goal: delivering an awesome gaming experience for everyone!
“Our focus on Italy is a key step in securing our current success while paving the way for future growth and creativity.”
Eurobet & Entain offer plentiful opportunities
Eurobet Italia, established in 1995, complements its “tier-1” digital business with a network of just under 1,000 points of sale distributed throughout the country, hailed by Platipus as a top two land-based casino ranking.
With the former of these representing the focal point of the partnership for Platipus, Peters moves on by touching upon what this latest collaboration truly means, as well as the desired results that it is hoped will be achieved.
“Partnering with Eurobet is a truly exciting milestone for us,” he says. “As a well-respected leader in the Italian betting and gaming industry with over a decade of experience, joining forces with them is both an honor and an exhilarating opportunity for our team.
“This collaboration allows us to blend our expertise with Eurobet’s strong market presence, creating a powerful synergy. We have no doubt that together we can drive innovation and craft gaming experiences that captivate and inspire.”
As previously touched upon, this link-up also sees Platipus strengthen its long-held ties with Entain, an operator group whose roots are deeply rooted in a number gaming jurisdictions across the globe.
Building on prior partnerships that have been previously struck targeting Croatia and Baltic countries, the Platipus CEO continues by touching on if he envisions deepening its union with Entain further still in the future.
“Absolutely,” he gleefully states. “A new partnership is an exciting opportunity to explore new markets, especially since we already collaborate with Entain Group through Supersport in Croatia and Enlabs in the Baltic countries. As we move into 2025, we definitely envision deepening this relationship.”
New beginnings loom on the horizon
Regulatory alterations have become commonplace over recent times, with issues such as advertising and responsible gambling having been placed under the spotlight across numerous countries worldwide.
Italy is certainly not immune to this, with substantial enhancements to tech infrastructure, strict measures to prevent addiction and a ban on ‘affiliated online websites’ or ’skins’ among the changes that are set to usher in a new era.
As the Italian government gets set to launch a tender for new remote gambling licences, which is rumoured to be taking place imminently, Peters looks at what he believes will be the key implications that this could have.
“Italy’s new gambling rules are about to shake things up,” he elaborates “Operators will need to really focus on compliance to meet stricter regulations, which should help build more trust with players.
“There’s also going to be an emphasis on responsible gambling, making sure players are safe and well-protected. For Platipus, this means enhancing even more our responsible gambling features to align with these new standards.
“Overall, while these shifts might seem challenging, they also offer the industry a great chance to grow and improve.”
Before concluding by addressing what the major implications could be for operators, and how this could affect the position of suppliers that are targeting the country.
“For operators, the new regulations mean they’ll possibly deal with more competition as the market evolves,” he states.
“This could mean investing in new technology and systems to keep up. Suppliers, on the other hand, have a chance to shine by offering solutions that help operators navigate these changes.
“They’ll need to be flexible and ready to adapt, focusing on how they can support operators with compliance and player protection.”
