Octoplay and William Hill Join Forces in New Expansion Deal
Octoplay, a leading slot developer based in Malta, has partnered with William Hill, one of the most renowned online gaming and betting brands. This collaboration comes on the heels of Octoplay’s recent partnerships with Flutter and Entain, marking a continued strategy to expand its reach across regulated gaming markets.
This new deal allows William Hill to host Octoplay’s proprietary slot content on its platform, giving players access to an exciting array of popular titles such as Cash Link Express: Hold & Win, Lightning Blitz Supercharged, and 777 Hot Reels. This partnership highlights Octoplay’s ongoing efforts to become a key player in the UK’s highly competitive iGaming market.
A Tailored Experience for William Hill Players
As part of this partnership, William Hill players will also be introduced to a custom version of Octoplay’s innovative Jackpot Hunt feature, which was specially designed for the platform. This exclusive opt-in jackpot solution will add an extra layer of excitement for players, showcasing Octoplay’s commitment to creating bespoke, engaging content tailored to the needs of high-profile operators.
Nick Vuchev, Commercial Director at Octoplay, spoke about the strategic importance of the deal, stating:
“Partnering with William Hill represents a significant step in our expansion strategy. The bespoke Jackpot Hunt solution we’ve developed for William Hill showcases our ability to collaborate closely with tier-one operators to create tailored, innovative content. We’re excited to bring our premium games and other innovative platform solutions to William Hill’s vast player base in the UK.”
Expanding Octoplay’s Reach in Europe’s Regulated Markets
This partnership with William Hill not only strengthens Octoplay’s position in the UK but also reinforces its growing presence across Europe. Already holding licenses in jurisdictions such as Sweden, Malta, Ontario, Slovakia, Greece, and Romania, Octoplay is steadily gaining recognition for its top-tier slot games and innovative platform features.
William Hill’s Head of Gaming UK, Keiron Downs, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership:
“At William Hill, we’re always looking to enhance our gaming portfolio with high-quality, engaging content. Octoplay’s games and Jackpot Hunt align perfectly with our commitment to providing an exceptional gaming experience.”
The Future of Octoplay’s Expansion Strategy
This collaboration with William Hill marks a key moment in Octoplay’s broader expansion plan, as the company continues to build relationships with leading gaming operators across major regulated markets. By delivering innovative gaming content and bespoke solutions to platforms like William Hill, Octoplay is well-positioned to become a major force in the global iGaming landscape.
With its ever-expanding portfolio of games and a strategic approach to partnerships, Octoplay is poised for continued growth, ensuring that more players across the UK and beyond will enjoy their premium gaming experience in the months to come.
iGaming Leader Introduces Revamped Platform Ahead of SBC Summit Latinoamérica
Sportingtech, an industry-leading provider of iGaming solutions, has launched a fully revamped Sportsbook interface, setting a new standard for customization, speed, and user engagement. This redesigned platform provides operators with unprecedented control and flexibility, ensuring they can differentiate themselves in the highly competitive betting industry.
New Features Drive Customization and Engagement
At the heart of Sportingtech’s latest platform are several key features designed to enhance both operator and player experiences. One of the standout additions is the Custom Events Creation tool, allowing operators to design bespoke events, markets, and outcomes. This enables operators to respond rapidly to market trends and player preferences, giving them a critical edge in the fast-moving iGaming landscape.
Another game-changing feature is the upgraded Betbuilder, which allows players to combine multiple bets across various markets, creating more complex and personalized wagers. This tool is designed to boost player engagement and retention, as it encourages deeper interaction with the platform, while also increasing operators’ revenue potential.
Streamlined Player Interaction with New Tools
The revamped interface also includes a streamlined Share a Bet feature, enabling players to easily share their betting choices with others. This functionality fosters a stronger sense of community among bettors and encourages more interaction on the platform. The Quick Bet feature has also been re-engineered to allow for instant betting during live events, ensuring that players never miss a crucial opportunity due to slow processing times.
In addition to functionality improvements, Sportingtech has introduced over 300 exclusive icons, offering operators a visually distinct and customizable identity. These unique icons help operators establish a strong brand presence, setting them apart from competitors.
Focus on Compliance and Market-Specific Needs
Sportingtech’s new Sportsbook interface also addresses regulatory requirements, particularly for the Brazilian market. The platform includes Enhanced Betting History Control, providing users with greater transparency and control over their betting history. This feature ensures full compliance with local regulations while enhancing the overall user experience.
Chief Product Officer Tommy Molloy underscored the importance of the new platform: “Our new Sportsbook interface reflects our commitment to innovation and customization. With features like Custom Events and Betbuilder, we empower our partners to deliver highly engaging experiences that drive player retention and growth.”
Showcasing Innovation at SBC Summit Latinoamérica
The new Sportsbook interface will make its debut at the SBC Summit Latinoamérica, taking place from October 29-31 in Miami. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the platform’s cutting-edge features firsthand at Sportingtech’s stand, E40.
Sportingtech’s innovations come on the heels of a significant partnership with RubyPlay, announced earlier this year. The deal expanded Sportingtech’s game library to over 100,000 titles, further diversifying the company’s offerings across its global operator network.
Sportingtech continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation, helping operators thrive in an increasingly competitive market while delivering world-class solutions tailored to local regulatory needs.
On October 21, 2024, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced the launch of its first extensive study of the black market for online gambling in the UK. The research aims to improve the Commission’s ability to monitor illegal gambling activities and is expected to provide key insights by late spring 2025.
A New Approach to Understanding the Black Market
The UKGC hopes this research will help uncover why and how consumers are accessing unlicensed gambling sites. By analyzing this data, the Commission plans to enhance its ability to detect unlicensed platforms and estimate their usage among British consumers. The findings will also form the basis for improving online monitoring efforts to better understand the extent of the illegal gambling market in the UK.
Much like similar studies by other European regulators, the UKGC’s research will combine web traffic data with gambling behavior insights to assess the total financial yield, known as Gross Gambling Yield (GGY), generated by the black market.
Estimating Illegal Market Spend
The study estimates average player spending on illegal gambling platforms using data from over 139,000 online gambling accounts provided by seven major UK operators. This data, collected from July 2018 to June 2019, indicates that the average GGY per minute for online slots is approximately £0.32, as the Commission suspects most unlicensed gambling activity involves slots.
However, the UKGC has acknowledged limitations in its methodology, particularly around accounting for high spenders in other types of gambling, such as sports betting.
Analyzing Web Traffic and Search Trends
To identify unlicensed gambling sites, the Commission is using tools like Google Trends and Similarweb to track popular search terms. The top five Google search results for each term are flagged, and any affiliated websites promoting illegal gambling are reviewed. Data on web traffic and average visit duration are collected for each unlicensed site to gain a clearer picture of their usage.
International Insights on Black Market Spending
The UKGC’s efforts come as regulators in other countries, including the Netherlands and Sweden, report challenges in understanding the scale of black market spending. These countries have found that players may spend more on illegal gambling sites than on licensed ones, a trend the UKGC is considering in its own research.
The Commission also highlighted that its current model does not yet account for time spent on unlicensed platforms where no money is wagered. Updates to the GGY estimates will be made as more recent data becomes available.
Future Studies to Explore Social Media and Streaming Platforms
The UKGC plans to expand its research in the future by examining how social media and encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as streaming services such as Twitch and Kick, contribute to the black market. The role of these platforms in directing traffic to unlicensed gambling sites will be scrutinized.
Licensed operators are encouraged to provide relevant data to aid the Commission’s research or suggest new detection methods.
Industry Reactions to the Growing Black Market
A separate study commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) released in September 2024 estimates that the UK’s black market for online gambling could be handling as much as £2.7 billion in bets each year. BGC CEO Grainne Hurst described the findings as “deeply concerning” and pointed to the dangerous growth of this unregulated sector.
The UKGC remains committed to tackling the unlicensed market and welcomes feedback from industry stakeholders to refine its approach and ensure a safer gambling environment for all UK consumers.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently announced that gaming revenue for September 2024 reached an impressive $505.9 million, marking a year-over-year growth of 6.17%. This increase was largely driven by significant gains in online gaming and sports betting. Let’s delve into the key details, highlighting which sectors performed the best and how brick-and-mortar casinos compared to online platforms.
Steady Growth in Online Gaming and Sports Betting
One of the biggest contributors to Pennsylvania’s gaming revenue growth came from the internet casino sector, with iGaming revenue reaching $176.7 million in September—a notable 10.79% increase compared to the same month in 2023. Despite this, there was a slight dip from the $183.7 million seen in August 2024, representing a 3.8% decrease.
Sports betting also saw significant growth, with revenue climbing by 46.13% to $53.5 million. This rise is attributed to the beginning of the football season, which always boosts betting activity. The total betting handle for sports wagering reached $811.3 million, an 11.71% increase over the previous year.
Record-Breaking Bonuses and Credits
The gaming sector also saw record-setting bonuses and credits, totaling $43 million. This contributed to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of $53.5 million from a gross revenue of $95.8 million—a 46.1% increase year-over-year, making it the fifth-highest total on record.
The Impact of iGaming and Sportsbooks
Online casinos, led by Hollywood Casino, Valley Forge, and BetRivers, contributed significantly to the state’s revenue. Hollywood Casino, which operates DraftKings, BetMGM, and its internal app, reported $66.9 million in iGaming revenue, up 3.2% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Valley Forge Casino Resort, with its FanDuel sportsbook, saw a 33.03% year-over-year revenue increase, bringing in $47.1 million. BetRivers came in third, surpassing $30 million for the sixth time in seven months with $31.5 million in revenue.
Betting Handle and Sportsbook Performance
Valley Forge also led in sports betting revenue, generating $27.4 million from a betting handle of $320.4 million. Hollywood Casino at the Meadows followed with $13.1 million from $237.2 million in wagers. The Hollywood Casino Morgantown and Hollywood Casino at Penn National also posted solid sports betting numbers, with revenue of $2.5 million and $2.46 million, respectively.
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos: Mixed Results
While online gaming and sports betting saw impressive growth, Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar casinos had a more mixed performance. Parx Casino remained the top performer with $30.2 million in slot machine revenue, despite a 4.25% decrease year-over-year. Wind Creek Bethlehem, in contrast, posted a 2.1% increase, generating $24.2 million in slot revenue. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh saw a slight decline in slot revenue, down 2.36% to $20.7 million.
Table Games Dip Slightly
Table games across the state brought in $73.4 million in revenue, a 2.33% drop from the previous year. Despite this, the overall impact on the state’s total revenue was minor, thanks to the growth in iGaming and sports betting.
Pennsylvania’s Total Tax Revenue
In total, the state collected $211.2 million in taxes from its various gaming platforms in September 2024. Of this, $51.1 million came directly from internet casino gaming. Pennsylvania’s $6.21 billion wagered through iGaming casinos was the second-highest in the state’s history.
Top-Performing Casinos
- Valley Forge Casino Resort: Valley Forge led the pack in overall revenue, with a massive 29.5% year-over-year increase, bringing in $85.6 million.
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National: This casino saw a 7.10% rise in revenue, generating $82.5 million.
- Parx Casino: Despite leading in slot revenue, Parx experienced a 6.52% decrease in total revenue, reporting $52.2 million.
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia: The casino recorded a 7.84% increase in revenue, reaching $51.1 million.
A Strategic Expansion in the UK Online Casino Market
Spinomenal has significantly bolstered its presence in the UK’s competitive online casino sector through a strategic partnership with Rank Group. This collaboration has enabled Spinomenal to integrate its diverse slot game offerings into Rank Group’s esteemed portfolio of online casino brands. Utilizing Light & Wonder’s OpenGaming aggregation platform, this partnership marks a significant step for Spinomenal in the UK market.
The Malta-based slot developer will now showcase its popular titles, including “Fairytale Beauties,” “Majestic King,” and “Majestic White Rhino,” across Rank Group platforms such as Mecca and Grosvenor. Lior Shvartz, CEO of Spinomenal, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting, “Rank’s esteemed reputation within the British market is well-recognized, and partnering with such a distinguished operator will considerably enhance our market presence.”
Enhancing Gaming Choices for UK Players
This partnership promises to enrich the gaming experiences for UK players by offering access to Spinomenal’s compelling slot games. Nolan Frendo, Casino Games Manager for Rank Group, praised Spinomenal’s commitment to innovation and creativity, aligning perfectly with their goal of providing top-tier gaming experiences to their users. “We are eager to see the fruits of this partnership and anticipate remarkable outcomes that will benefit both our players and our platform growth,” stated Frendo.
The collaboration not only extends Spinomenal’s footprint in the UK market but also continues Rank Group’s pattern of enhancing its online casino offerings. Following a similar recent agreement with Playson, this deal further diversifies the content available to Rank Group’s players, underscoring the group’s commitment to offering varied and high-quality gaming options.
Spinomenal’s European Market Strategy
Furthermore, this move is part of Spinomenal’s broader strategy to expand its influence across European markets, demonstrated by recent partnerships in the Netherlands and Bulgaria. In July 2024, Spinomenal extended its reach to the Dutch market by integrating its gaming titles with Jacks.nl, managed by JVH Gaming & Entertainment Group. Additionally, earlier in the year, Spinomenal made its debut in the Bulgarian market through a collaboration with 8888.bg.
As Spinomenal continues to extend its global reach, this partnership with Rank Group represents a significant milestone in their expansion efforts, promising to deliver innovative gaming experiences to players and solidify their position as a leader in the online casino industry.