MAR APR 2024
Editor's Letter
Thirty years… has it been that long already?
How time has flown since the first-ever online bet was placed, and how the industry has changed in that time. We sit today in a world where thousands of online casinos profligate the World Wide Web. There are those – many – who will argue we are, in fact, part of an age with simply too much opportunity to gamble.
Rewind, though, to a time when the World Wide Web was barely a thing; a time when land-based casinos weren’t just the norm – they presented the only form of gambling. The transition has given birth to a whole new behemoth of industry, and Gambling Insider speaks with industry experts to explore just how that transition has played out, along with its many different phases and iterations.
Elsewhere within our March/April issue, we review the winners of February’s Global Gaming Awards EMEA in London, which saw Paddy Power, bet365, Spribe and more leave the industry’s most prestigious Awards ceremony with trophies.
There’s a global theme to several of our key features, as the IGA Group walks us through the latest developments within Curaçao’s licensing system (in brilliant detail). Over in Finland, meanwhile, experts talk us through a market that has 'passed go' and is moving away from a monopoly system.
The UK, and more specifically London, provides us with a double focus this issue – first
we speak with the son of famed gambler Stevie Thomas, Thomas being the subject of a book release this year. Also looking at a time gone by, we review what exactly went wrong at Crockfords... And when you actually look into it, despite its historic reputation, what went wrong is very clear.
In today’s age of myriad options for gamblers (I just wrote about the thousands of online casinos that profligate the internet, didn’t I?), Crockfords found itself with an offering so limited it could not attract anyone on merit – only on heritage. Predictably, that did not remain sustainable for long.
Before I close off my second Gambling Insider Editor’s Letter of 2024, I would like to personally thank each of our Roundtable contributors for a very informative edition of the regular feature. This time, we focused on casino streaming and the responses we received from industry suppliers – and streamer extraordinaire herself Lady Luck HQ – made for fascinating content.
Our thanks, of course, to all contributors, including those involved in our Insiders, Product Reviews and Final Word sections, while Ron Mendelson of Fast Offshore provides his own walkthrough of online gaming history, supplementing our main feature.
Much has changed within the last 12 months, let alone three decades. But one fact does remain: people love to gamble. I’ve said it before – probably within these very pages – but that will never stop; whether it’s another 30 years from now or 3,000.
Facing Facts: The history of iGaming in numbers
In keeping with the main theme of the issue (a history of online gaming), Gambling Insider looks at statistics from various key markets across both current and historic time periods
Taking Stock: Analysing US operator and supplier performance
Gambling Insider tracks operator and supplier prices. Share prices are taken across a six-month period (September 2023 to February 2024) – and from the close of the first available date of the month.
Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2024 Winners
In February, Gambling Insider hosted the seventh edition of the Global Gaming Awards EMEA at London’s Hippodrome Casino.
Cover Feature: Exploring the history of online gaming
The first online bet was placed in 1994, following the passing of the Free Trade and Processing Zone Act in Antigua and Barbuda. Now, 30 years on, Gambling Insider’s Beth Turner investigates the history of iGaming and where we can expect the industry to go next...
Evaluating the history of the iGaming market
Following on from our cover feature, Gambling Insider contributor Ron Mendelson of Fast Offshore gives his take on the last 30 years of the iGaming market
Exploring Sky Vegas' new advertising campaign
Jonathan Lloyd, Sky Betting & Gaming Head of Gaming Brand and Creative, speaks exclusively to Gambling Insider about Sky Vegas’ latest advertising campaign and why the operator has moved away from its usual direction.
Investigating the history of gaming in Curaçao
Mario Fiorini, Founder and Director of IGA Group, walks us though the history of one of gaming's most important hubs. One, though, whose "fundamentally flawed" framework brought with it a chequered past.
Roundtable: Assessing the impact of the casino streaming industry
Industry experts answer Gambling Insider’s burning questions on all things related to the casino streaming market, including Greentube, BGaming, Betcore, Lady Luck HQ, Swintt and Gamzix.
A window into the past: Gambling in 1960s London
In the last 60 years alone, the land-based market for gambling in London has changed rapidly. In 'A Gamblers Tale' by Stevie Thomas, readers are led through the 1960s all the way to the 2000s.
Folding after a bad bet: Crockfords Casino shuts its doors
Following in the footsteps of The Ritz and The Clermont, we dive into the history of Crockfords Casino and try to figure out where it went wrong.
Bye-bye monopoly - finland passes go: What will the Finnish market look like?
Finland’s gaming market is in the process of overhauling its long-established monopoly system, headed by government-owned Veikkaus, for a licensing system. With these changes now in motion and a draft of the new law expected in the summer, what can the market and those set to enter it expect? Gambling Insider spoke with Finnish Consulting Group Partner Jari Vähänen, Partner and Legal Advisor at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law Antti Koivula and Finnplay Managing Director Jaakko Soininen to find out more...
Q&A with Interblock SVP of Innovation Jeff Kowalchuk: Bringing all players to the table
SVP of Innovation at Interblock, Jeff Kowalchuk, speaks to Gambling Insider about Interblock’s products and how they cater to a variety of different players.
Q&A with Zitro International President Sebastian Salat: Leading the line
Gambling Insider speaks to Zitro’s International President, Sebastian Salat, about the supplier's latest developments, international expansion and how it is helping operators differentiate.
Q&A with Pin-Up Global CEO Marina Ilina: Aiming to be the best
Pin-Up Global CEO Marina Ilina speaks to Gambling Insider about the role of business scaling within the ecosystem, Pin-Up.Investments and much more.
Q&A with DS Virtual Gaming Sales Manager Yesika Rodriguez: Virtual convenience
DS Virtual Gaming’s Sales Manager, Yesika Rodriguez, spoke to Gambling Insider about the company’s offerings and what's on store next for the virtual sports industry.
Q&A with Betcore CEO Peter Korpusenko: Changing at speed
Betcore CEO Peter Korpusenko speaks to Gambling Insider about fast betting, Fashion Keno, plans for 2024 and more.
Q&A with Galaxsys SVP of Sales & Business Development Gil Soffer: Making a crash
Gambling Insider spoke with Gil Soffer, SVP of Sales & Business Development of Galaxsys, for insight into the fast-growing and innovative verticals of fast, crash, mines, skill and plinko games.
Final Word: Praxis Tech CTO on expansion, enhancement and exciting new horizons
Praxis Tech CTO Guy Karsenti speaks to Gambling Insider about its latest product enhancements and where the company is heading
