Latest News
NFTs in iGaming: how can the new technology be used in the iGaming industry?
NFTs have stepped into the spotlight. The varied applications of non-fungible tokens have seen them spread into a number of industries — iGaming included. Is now the time to open an NFT casino? Slotegrator shares its opinion and forecast.
Why are NFTs gaining popularity? First of all, they’re a massive trend. Celebrities buy and sell them, famous pieces of art are being tokenized, and blogger creators promote them as a way to earn sums that are not limited by market norms, but by audience imagination.
But what role does NFT technology play in the iGaming industry? To start with, NFTs can be used as in-game tokens and to place deposits, but they can also be a reward in themselves. Casino and sportsbook platform BC.Game, for example, already accepts NFT deposits.
Since NFTs are decentralized and independent, they can be used anywhere, without any limits, which is appreciated by players who have trouble accessing traditional payment methods.
NFTs are powered by blockchain technology, which stores information about ownership, providing a high level of transparency. This concept is also used in the new trend of provably fair games, where players can verify that their results were governed by a smart contract code, and not influenced or manipulated by humans.
One more function of NFTs in iGaming is to grant access to casinos, such as in the metaverse, or membership in loyalty or VIP programs with special bonuses, tournaments, or jackpots. This function is also a good tool in terms of security — it can assist in self-exclusion or help to block access for minors.
Another interesting use of NFTs is letting players become a part of the business: players can purchase their own slot machine in the metaverse as an NFT. If users own their own virtual slot machine, poker table or even casino, they can benefit from them as business owners. There is one catch, though: metaverses still have no gambling regulation, meaning “casino owners” have no obligations to fulfill.
NFT casinos also appeal to a wider audience: younger generations will play because besides the traditional motives to gamble, they’re very interested in collecting digital assets.
In general, NFT is an incredible way of sharing content. But what about regulations?
The European Union has yet to establish a definition of NFTs, but is planning to regulate them in the same way as cryptocurrencies: authorities are closely scrutinizing decentralized financing out of concerns about money laundering, fraud, and the financing of terrorism, which means European businesses can expect new regulation at some point.
Since NFTs are a relatively new concept, even though their popularity is skyrocketing, regulations still need to be worked out — unlike cryptocurrencies, which have already been given due consideration in many countries.
NFTs are assets, and while profits or losses from the sale or purchase of assets are normally subject to taxation, taxation for NFTs has yet to be clearly established. Whereas taxes on gains from trading cryptocurrencies are usually applied in the owner’s country of residence, there are few — if any — comparable practices for NFTs.
Overall, the future of NFTs is incredibly promising.
It’s estimated by MarketsandMarkets that the NFT sector will grow to over $13 billion in 2027, which would constitute an annual growth rate of 35%. This is in line with the overall trend towards spending more time — and money — online; a survey from McKinsey shows that over 20% of the population is going to increase their level of online shopping, exercising, entertaining, etc.
“NFTs were quickly embraced and became a popular way to spend and earn money. The iGaming industry, no stranger to innovation, saw the potential for NFTs immediately, and game providers began developing titles that incorporated the new technology. Aviatrix, for example, features a crash game where players can purchase the in-game avatar as an NFT. Ultimately, if the rapid spread of cryptocurrencies are any indication of how popular and effective blockchain technology can be, we have every reason to believe that NFTs will become commonplace for online casinos and sportsbooks”, says Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator.
You can read more about NFT here.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
More information: https://slotegrator.pro/
eSports
Everything you need to know ahead of ESL Pro League Season 19
The ESL Pro League (EPL) returns to St. Julian’s, Malta, for Season 19 on April 23 – May 12, 2024. The world’s biggest Counter-Strike league will see teams from around the world arrive on-site for three weeks of non-stop action, and only one team will emerge victorious as Champions.
Here is all you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 19
The 19th Season of the ESL Pro League will see the 32 best Counter-Strike teams compete for a total prize pool of $750,000, a win in the race to secure Intel® Grand Slam V, and a spot at IEM Cologne 2024. Commencing on April 23, contenders from around the globe will face off in Malta for a spot in the Playoffs. There, the six best teams will compete live in front of an intimate live audience at the InterContinental Malta on May 10 – 12, 2024.
Starting with the upcoming season, EPL will see some improvements to its schedule. While the number of teams and the tournament structure remain the same compared to recent seasons, the duration of the tournament has been adjusted to three weeks instead of five. To accommodate this change, two groups will be played simultaneously during the Group Stage, resulting in a more intense story for fans to follow.
Schedule and Format
Group Stage (April 23 – May 5):
- Four groups of eight teams will compete in separate triple-elimination brackets
- All matches are best-of-three
- The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs
- Group Stage winners advance to the Quarterfinals
- The Group Stage runner-ups advance to the Round of 12
- The Group Stage third and fourth-place teams advance to the Round of 16
Playoffs (May 7 – 12):
- The top sixteen teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket
- All matches will be best-of-three, excluding the Grand Final which will be best-of-five
- The third and fourth Quarterfinals, as well as both Semifinals and the Grand Final will be played out live on stage in front of an audience
Teams Attending
- Astralis (Partner Team)
- BIG (Partner Team)
- Complexity (Partner Team)
- ENCE (Partner Team)
- FaZe Clan (Partner Team)
- Fnatic (Partner Team)
- FURIA (Partner Team)
- G2 Esports (Partner Team)
- HEROIC (Partner Team)
- MOUZ (Partner Team)
- Natus Vincere (Partner Team)
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (Partner Team)
- Team Liquid (Partner Team)
- Team Vitality (Partner Team)
- Monte (ESL Challenger Jönköping winner)
- Virtus.pro (ESL Challenger Atlanta winner)
- SAW (ESL World Ranking)
- Team Falcons (ESL World Ranking)
- GamerLegion (ESL World Ranking)
- BetBoom Team (ESL World Ranking)
- Eternal Fire (ESL World Ranking)
- 3DMAX (ECL S46 Europe winner)
- FORZE (ECL S46 Europe runner-up)
- M80 (ECL S46 North America winner)
- BOSS (ECL S46 North America runner-up)
- The MongolZ (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific winner)
- TYLOO (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific runner-up)
- Imperial Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
- Sharks Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
- Pera Esports (European Conference winner)
- Bad News Kangaroos (Oceanic Qualifier winner)
- FlyQuest (ANZ Champs winner)
Prize Money (USD)
TOTAL | $750,000 |
1st | $170,000 |
2nd | $80,000 |
3rd-4th | $45,000 |
5th-8th | $32,000 |
9th-12th | $23,500 |
13th-16th | $17,500 |
17th-20th | $12,000 |
21st-28th | $7,000 |
29th-32nd | $3,500 |
Broadcast Talent
- Hosts
- “Tres “stunna” Saranthus
- Freya “Freya” Spiers
- A Stream
- Jason “moses” O’Toole
- Janko “YNk” Paunović
- Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez
- Harry “Harry” Russell
- Hugo “Hugo” Byron
- Henry “Henry” Greer
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Alex “Machine” Richardson
- B Stream
- Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
- Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers
- Lucy “LucyLuce” Eastwood
- Brandon “BDog” Rawlings
- Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, ESL FACEIT Group’s premier esports viewing platform created by esports fans for esports fans and open for all.
Featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch their favorite player’s perspective directly next to the main event stream, a live chat, a kill cam, live-generated replays of key moments, a sound mixer, a rewards program, and more, FACEIT Watch revolutionises esports streaming by putting fans in control of their viewing experience.
Fans can also watch the action on the ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand for free via YouTube.
For more information about ESL Pro League Season 19, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website, and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Latest News
New Market Alert! Hacksaw Gaming Touch Down in Portugal with Solverde.pt
Another incredible new market launch for Hacksaw Gaming, this time we’re taking a trip to Portugal with Solverde.pt. Exclusively showcasing our content until the 30th of April, this new partnership looks to be one with an exciting journey ahead.
Fan favourites Wanted Dead or a Wild, 2 Wild 2 Die, R.I.P City, Le Bandit and many more are now featured on the Hacksaw exclusive section of the Solverde.pt platform. At long last, Portuguese players can now immerse themselves in the Hacksaw experience, exploring a large catalogue of our games that demonstrate our creative mechanics and stunning visuals.
“Hacksaw has been a top request from Portuguese casino players and we always aim to know the market preferences and deliver what the customers want” says Américo Loureiro, Solverde.pt Director “We’re very proud to bring this groundbreaking studio to Portugal for the first time and have no doubt it will be a success”
Part of Solverde Group, which boasts more than 50 years of history, Solverde.pt was launched in 2017.
They strive to offer the widest casino portfolio in Portugal, prioritising all the fun of casino games with the top quality and safety that SolverdePT users have come to know them for.
Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw Gaming CEO is certain that Hacksaw enthusiasts in Portugal will be ecstatic with this new launch – “Being able to bring yet another growing market our games is what drives us forward! Saúde to a promising future partnership and to the teams who made this happen.”
With this latest launch marking our third new market entry in the past month alone, Hacksaw Gaming’s quest to introduce our collection to players worldwide is rapidly becoming reality. Are we setting the tone for even more groundbreaking ventures in the months ahead? Stay tuned, as we’re on a mission to grow our Hacksaw Community far and wide.
Latest News
What Types of Resources Help You Find New Online Casinos?
As online betting and gambling are increasingly getting popular, more and more gambling portals and online casinos are sprouting up every day on the internet. With so many mobile applications and websites offering lucrative options, it can be quite overwhelming and confusing to find new online casinos which are both legitimate and safe. So, how do you make a decision?
This list of resources will help you clear out that confusion and help you analyse your choices more carefully and choose the right new online gambling site for yourself.
Read Reviews on Reputable Review Sites
Online review websites are one of the most reliable sources to ascertain how good a new online gambling site is. With the drastic increase in the number of online gambling portals and casinos, these review sites have become a frequent visit for many gambling enthusiasts. Such websites usually provide comprehensive reviews of different online casinos along with important information about their games, bonuses, payment methods, and customer support.
One pro tip is to look for reviews from industry experts and popular players to ensure you get a credible report and make a more informed decision accordingly.
Check for Proper Licensing
One of the most critical things before signing up for a new online gambling site is to check its legitimacy and licensing. On the portal, make sure to look for a valid license registered under a proper jurisdiction.
This will ensure that the company is a legally registered operation and that your personal and financial data is safe and secure.
Refer to News Websites and Blogs
Another credible way to find good new online casinos is to look through news websites and blogs that specifically talk about the gambling industry. These sites often publish dedicated articles about the latest trends and developments in the industry, including new site launches and promotions.
Often including reviews from experts, articles and blogs on these platforms is a good way to judge a new online gambling site and make your decision. That’s why it is advisable to keep an eye on such portals and stay updated and informed.
Join Online Forums and Communities
I believe that no one can give a better review of an online gambling website other than someone who has been on the portal and played the game themselves. While there are multiple such forums dedicated to the online gambling industry, some online casinos have their own forums dedicated to their players.
Being on these forums and communities is a good way to get in touch with industry experts and experienced players and personally get their reviews and recommendations on online casinos. You can also learn about new casinos, discuss different aspects of online gambling, and connect with other players who share your interests.
Check Social Media Platforms
It’s 2024 and no community is bigger than social media! Be it Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat or even Reddit, almost every individual and business is present over there including online gambling companies. With the easiest access to a very large number of people, online casinos have to maintain their presence and stay active on these platforms.
That’s why many online casinos have social media accounts across many of these platforms where they regularly post updates about their latest games, promotions, and other news. Thus, social media is one of the best ways to search for new online casinos. In fact, by following these casinos on social media, you can stay updated about their offerings and be among the first to know about any new developments.
Consider Bonuses and Promotions
A lot of new online casinos offer generous bonuses and promotional schemes like welcome bonuses, free spins, no or low deposits, etc., to attract new players. If you ask me, I prefer playing on a portal that asks for the lowest deposits.
For this, I look for a list of low-deposit online casinos and research their bonuses and promotions to make sure they are lofty and worth my time. Do the same while picking out your online gambling website and chances are that you’ll start with a great deal.
Choosing a new gambling site from a pool of hundreds and thousands of casinos can be daunting, especially for beginners. However, using the right resources like review portals, online communities, blogs, etc., can help you indulge in a proper research process. On the other hand, using smart techniques like checking for licenses and promotional offers offered by the company can make the decision-making even smoother.
But at the end of the day, I believe that finding the right new gambling website really depends on how well-informed you are about the industry. Always make sure to stay updated and informed about whatever is happening in the industry and you’ll automatically find it easier to pick your new gambling website.
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