JUL AUG 2021
Editor's Letter
When I moved home earlier this year, the brand that first popped into my head – before even planning my first Starbucks coffee or Amazon delivery – was Ikea. You don’t buy furniture anymore, you go to Ikea: that’s how powerful the Swedish brand has become.
But it’s not just furniture, of course, that's seeing Swedish business excel. Spotify has gone worldwide, while Trustly (featured in this magazine) has carved out a strong position within payments. And, given the success of Evolution, Kindred Group, Kambi, Betsson, LeoVegas and many more, gaming is enjoying a Swedish invasion of its own at present.
In this edition's cover feature, we channel our inner Wallander to investigate exactly how and why Sweden’s gambling companies have done so well. In a coincidental nod to Line of Duty’s ‘H,’ the two ‘detectives’ helping us explore what makes these organisations tick are Gustaf Hoffstedt and Christian Hellman.
Elsewhere, Paul Sculpher provides a fascinating insight into table game pricing, Rio Broadfoot introduces the team at Trust Payments and Nick Hill extols the virtues of blockchain. Our payments-themed GI Huddle section, meanwhile, recaps interviews with
Nuvei, VallettaPay and Neosurf. The latter’s CCO, Andrea McGeachin, provides particular food for thought with her assertion that ‘payments are boring...’
As we aim to produce the most balanced and insightful content in the industry, veering away from PR fluff and corporate sales copy, Gambling Insider never shies away from covering the moral and legal issues surrounding gambling. In this edition we once again hope that shines through, firstly in Jason Chess’s convincing defence of the freedom to gamble in the UK. At the same time, however, Anders Bergman ponders: why do so few ask what games developers are doing to combat problem gambling?
Our Big Question this issue focuses on the potential of a regulated Indian market, with contributions led by Ranjana Adhikari and Delasport's Shir Kogan, while our jurisdictions Roundtable features Alderney’s Susan O’Leary. Data lovers can turn to the early pages of our magazine, where Fantini Research focuses on US revenue, Facing Facts tackles the myriad of Q1 reports from the last couple of months, and GBGC provides bespoke data exclusively to this magazine. In our Insiders section, Rebecca Barbaro Sant is a welcome addition.
So we feel there’s something for everyone in this issue, all in all. Even if, admittedly, it’s the Vikings of gaming that are taking centre stage right now...
The Swedish Invasion
With the help of industry analysts, Tim Poole provides a deep dive into the international success of Swedish gambling firms. Why Sweden? What makes Swedish companies tick? How have they scaled such heights and what does the future hold for them?
A Local Marketplace
Gambling Insider provides a recap of our recent payments-themed GI Huddle interviews. First up is Nuvei’s Chief Corporate Development Officer, Neil Erlick
Client-focused
In the second of our series of payments-themed GI Huddles, Gambling Insider spoke to VallettaPay Founder & CEO, David Zammit
Payments are Personal
In the final interview of our payments-themed GI Huddle recap, Gambling Insider interviews Neosurf CCO Andrea McGeachin
Big Question
How much potential would a regulated Indian market have?
Back to the Grind
Regular Gambling Insider contributor Paul Sculpher assesses the return of land-based casinos in the UK – but asks: is there a step change coming to table gaming pricing?
The Moral Issues
Jason Chess, Gambling Insider contributor and Founding Partner at law firm Wiggin, discusses two consultations being carried out in the UK market; the first on affordability by the Gambling Commission, the second on the Gambling Act 2005 by the DCMS
Meet The Team: Trust Payments
Kevin Dodson, Head of Direct Sales, Gaming, and Rio Broadfoot, Gaming Vertical Director, speak to Gambling Insider about Trust Payments' ambitions in Europe and the US
The View from the Top
How would a potential European Super League affect the gambling industry? SoftSwiss, LSports and Betsson Group spoke exclusively to Tim Poole
Roundtable
How have jurisdictions handled record growth during the pandemic?
Did the Industry Cry Wolf over Italy?
Tim Poole looks back at the dramatic quotes of late 2018, when Italy decided to ban gambling advertising, and wonders if the success of the market since has undermined those who argued against the move
Driving a Digital Future
Nick Hill, Gambling Insider contributor and Executive Director, Premier Consulting, writes about how blockchain can take cashless casinos forward
Held to Ransom
Cyber crime is estimated to cost businesses some $10trn by 2025. No business sector is secure, says Carl Selby, Partner at Royds Withy King – least of all gaming
The Open Banking Boom
Trustly’s Liam Colclough discusses the current payments landscape in the UK and beyond, and the rapid growth of Open Banking
2021: The Year of the Doer
Astropay CEO Mikael Lijtenstein discusses how the company is making things happen in 2021, as well as new payments trends that are shaking up the gaming ecosystem
The Devil is Truly in the Detail
Rebecca Barbaro Sant, Creative Partner at the Authentic Brief, suggests what trade shows will look like when they eventually return, and explains what companies can do to attract more customers
Hybrid Infrastructure
Danny Hook, Director of Enterprise at Gibtelecom, discusses the benefits of hybrid infrastructure
Meltzer: the Rise of the Aggregator
GrooveGaming Founder and COO Yahale Meltzer discusses how the aggregator is staying focused in this hugely competitive industry
Slotting in
Michael Maokhamphiou, Lightning Box Operations Manager, tells Gambling Insider what game developers can expect during a transitional summer, when some Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted – and some slot regulations tightened
