If you take a stroll through the expansive show floor at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), there is a decent chance that you may be captivated at the latest offerings about to hit the market.
In recent years, leading gambling companies have used G2E to roll out new products on facial recognition, artificial intelligence and even a robotic waiter that has the capability to deliver a catered meal straight to your sportsbook desk. The products on display at last week’s show in Las Vegas, Nevada, extended the narrative, challenging developers to innovate before G2E 2025 next fall.
As is their wont, manufacturers continue to focus on the convergence between digital offerings, retail gaming products and payment solutions to optimize the experience for customers.
On the sports betting side, operators remain focused on product development for in-game betting and same-game parlay (SGP) offerings. After meeting with nearly two dozen companies at G2E, JMP Securities analyst Jordan Bender believes top operators are finding new avenues to grow business, including added personalization through targeted promotions. Bender expects promotional spending, sales and marketing to be elevated for the foreseeable future.
Trustly Digital Banking Transfers
For customers hoping to load funds onto a casino account, even the slightest delay can be exasperating. Trustly, a Swedish fintech company, is looking to ameliorate the process.
Once Trustly's new product is launched, a customer will be able to transfer funds from their online bank account to one for casino play at practically a drop of the hat. With a quick visit to a kiosk, a patron can initiate the process by scanning a QR code through a smartphone camera. From there, they will be instructed to type in an online banking code and connect through Trustly. Following a quick ID verification, the pay-in mechanism swiftly enables a customer to transfer funds directly from their online banking account.
Already counting down the days until the industry is back together for next year's G2E. 💙 pic.twitter.com/HSxX8KlO5x
— Global Gaming Expo (@G2Eshows) October 15, 2024
From a Know Your Customer (KYC) perspective, Trustly can serve as a useful tool for participating casinos. Trustly's proprietary risk engine monitors transaction history on an individualized basis. On one hand, if a customer has a history of making suspicious transactions, Trustly may send a casino an alert advising it to decline the transaction. On the other, if the customer has a strong reputation with casino transactions, a deposit may be accepted rather quickly.
On the sports betting side, Trustly partners with some of the nation's top operators. Since many customers load funds onto accounts from the relaxed confines of their living rooms, a QR code is not required for the transaction.
Clutch Player Markets
The past 24 months have been challenging for mid-level operators, with brands such as FOX Bet, Maxim BET, and Fubo Sportsbook shuttering operations. Nevertheless, local sportsbooks continue to forge on. In Colorado, BetMonarch launched a new sportsbook app at the start of the football season.
BetMonarch also opened the NFL season by adding a new back-end provider in IGT Sports. Ahead of next week's NBA tip, BetMonarch is touting a litany of unique betting markets. One option enables customers to wager on the "NBA Clutch Player of the Year." The honor is given to the player who leads the NBA in clutch points, defined as the total when the score is within five or fewer in the final five minutes of a game.
Steph Curry led the NBA in clutch points last season with 189. Giannis Antetokounmpo has odds of 40-1 to win this year's award, while Knicks newcomer Mikal Bridges offers value at 99-1.
"This is a more robust app; you're going to get comps at our property," said Erica Ferris, director of casino marketing at Monarch Casino Resort Spa – Black Hawk. "We're creating a more complete experience than some of our competitors."
An F1 driving simulator inside the booth at Play'n GO proved to be one of the most popular attractions at the show. Last November, Play'n GO signed a multi-year deal with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, days before the inaugural Vegas Grand Prix. As the race returns to the Las Vegas Strip next month, construction has already begun throughout the city. Play'n GO is a business-to-business online casino provider.
We're pleased to announce a new multi-year partnership with @ThePlayngo 🤝
Click below for more details on the deal ⤵️#HaasF1https://t.co/lUU6IMg0W8
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) November 16, 2023
The driving simulator gave G2E attendees a view of a course from behind the wheel, providing them with a simulation of some of the conditions experienced by drivers such as Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. While there are products on the market that allow golfers to bet on their on-course performance, Play'n GO is not designing an interactive betting component for now. If anything, the company may consider an F1-focused slot product.
"We're always interested in new and innovative products; we're constantly looking at being an entertainment-first company," said Saam Hafezi, a regional director at Play'n GO.
Earlier this month, Play'n GO expanded a partnership with DraftKings and its sister property, Golden Nugget. Under the partnership, Play'n GO broadened the partnership with the operators to two additional states — Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Previously, Play'n GO had partnerships with the companies in New Jersey, Michigan and Connecticut.
G2E, which ranks annually as one of the world’s largest gambling conference, attracted more than 25,000 gaming professionals this year. Exhibitors from more than 115 countries took part in the event held at the Venetian Expo Center.
