Initial projections going into 2021

In the finale of the latest edition of SlotBeats Spotlight, and the final instalment of 2020, we asked our five experts the very simplest of questions. 

SlotBeats: What are your initial projections going into 2021? 

Peter Causley, Lightning Box: We’re very positive about 2021 despite the uncertainty in the world at the moment.

We’re due to go live in Michigan, Norway and with the Atlantic Lotteries, which are the collective Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Elsewhere, the outlook looks good too, with more and more markets opening, especially in the U.S. We’re very hopeful that Michigan will fire the starting gun for more Native American tribes to open up online real money gaming. Fingers crossed.

Tamas Kusztos, Kalamba Games: Retention will become even more key than it is now as some key markets either increase or bring in regulation. Gamification and promotional tools are becoming ever more important in the search for a unique offering in a crowded market. 

I would expect to see plenty more collaborations between suppliers and operators, as there are significant benefits for both parties. Similarly, I’d expect to see more promotions involving streamers as they become much more of a mainstay in the industry.  

Arcangelo Lonoce, Habanero: On the product front, there’s going to be a big push towards gamification. Gamified solutions will be key to engaging players, particularly when they are underpinned by state-of-the-art mathematics. 

I expect to see plenty of experimentation with maths models, which in Habanero’s case means making every level of volatility more and more entertaining. I also believe high volatility games that engage players with a multi-faceted and eventful experience will play a vital role in the year to come.

From a business development perspective, we expect to remain at the centre of all major markets throughout 2021 as we build upon this year’s momentum, while also keeping a close on regulated growth territories across the globe. 

Albert Pesca, Pragmatic Play: 2021 should see more of the same as 2020, but on a wider scale. There are tightening regulations in Europe, with Germany, Sweden and the UK all in the process of discussing or debating stricter legislation, while emerging territories in Latin America and Africa offer interesting opportunities as they embrace the change.

Player protection remains absolutely crucial for any progression of the industry, so we wholeheartedly prepare for these movements.

It should also be another exciting year for innovations, with all providers looking at ways to make themselves stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Maria Ostrovtsova, BGaming: My first projection is that by the mid next year we will back to some sort of normality where we can travel more freely and meet clients and attend conferences.

From our side this year was focused on integrating our games to various platform providers so our games can be more accessible to operators , this is something we will  continue focusing in the new year while also targeting more regulated markets like Italy and Denmark and we will also have our MGA license.

Also next year we are excited to be launching our first branded online slot Ring of Riches  in collaboration with WBC.