In a chat with European Gaming, Blaze Gaming CEO Keith Goddard discusses how the games developer plans to stand out as a beacon in the gaming industry with its entertainment-inspired portfolio of games.

Blaze Gaming is a new studio looking to make its mark on the industry. Tell us more about the team behind the business and how you plan to stand out in a crowded market.

Blaze Gaming is owned by Digient Technologies and has a rich cultural diversity with team members hailing from all corners of the world including India, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. This wonderful tapestry of cultures, values and experiences infuses our creative process with a unique global perspective, bringing a vibrancy to our games that sets us apart from other studios. It also means our games resonate with all players in all markets. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure our management structure reflects this diversity and consists of incredibly talented individuals representing various backgrounds and genders. This openness and inclusivity fosters innovation and creativity and ensures our decision-making is enriched by different insights and viewpoints. Ultimately, this allows us to develop better games while allowing Blaze Gaming to stand out as a beacon in the gaming industry. This, combined with the entrepreneurial capacity of our owners, serves as a driving force behind Blaze Gaming, empowering us to take bold risks, explore new opportunities and always push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Can you talk us through your portfolio and what it includes?

Our expansive portfolio has been designed to meet player preferences and expectations in markets across the world. Right now, we have 23 slots, 11 draw games, four table games and five roulette variants based on a variety of themes and with a brilliant mix of mechanics and bonuses to ensure each provides an immersive and engaging entertainment experience. We also offer eight Casino Trading Games – this is a super interesting format that seamlessly blends the excitement of cryptocurrency trading with the edge-of-the-seat thrill of traditional casino gaming. In addition, we have dedicated platforms for poker, rummy and sports betting so that our operator partners can offer the players a comprehensive suite of gaming experiences. Looking ahead, we’ve got a busy product roadmap covering the next 12 months with at least 30 new games set to land in our portfolio.

Your Casino Trading Games sound like they have the potential to be the next big thing. What are they, how do they work and who will they appeal to?

You’re right, they are a game changer. They capture the adrenaline of the volatile, high-risk/reward world of crypto trading and fuse it with the presentation and polish of a casino game. They deliver fast-paced action, boundless entertainment, endless excitement and tons of big-win potential. We know that players are seeking deeper and richer experiences at online casinos and these games deliver exactly that round after round.

Which markets do you see as offering the greatest potential for Blaze Gaming? How will you look to localise your portfolio for each of these markets?

We see huge potential in emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia as well as established regions like Europe. We recognise the importance of locally influenced partnerships in these markets, especially when it comes to distribution and growth. This is why we prioritise forging strategic alliances with local stakeholders including established operators, content aggregators and marketing partners so that we can maximise our presence and reach. These partnerships allow us to leverage the expertise and networks of trusted local entities which in turn facilitates a much smoother market entry and expansion. Working closely with our partners gives us invaluable insights into the market, regional trends, player preferences and the regulatory landscape we need to navigate and this in turn guides product development, the localisation of our portfolio and the marketing strategies we deploy. Through this emphasis on locally influenced partnerships, we can maximise the distribution opportunities while fostering sustainable growth and deeper relationships in each jurisdiction we target.

The slot provision space is highly competitive. What challenges have you faced so far and how were they overcome?

We’ve encountered many challenges so far including market saturation, regulatory compliance, customer acquisition, technology infrastructure and the constant need to innovate and differentiate. But this is what makes it such a fun space in which to operate. To clear these hurdles, we have focused on premium distribution channels, daring to be different in the quest for true innovation (our Casino Trading Games are a great example of this), have never compromised on quality, have established a dedicated compliance team and have adopted a multi-faceted approach to customer acquisition. We’ve also invested heavily in technology infrastructure and fostered a culture of creativity and experimentation within our diverse development teams. By doing this, we have overcome all obstacles in our way while ensuring we deliver exceptional gaming and entertainment experiences to players worldwide.

What can we expect from Blaze Gaming in the coming months? Can you share any big announcements coming up?

Hold tight as we’ve got a run of never-seen-before product releases set for the coming months. This includes slots with exhilarating math models, diverse draw, table and trading games and much, much more. Digient Technologies has also entrusted us to rebrand its poker, rummy, sportsbook and igaming platforms and we’ll be making more announcements about this shortly. But until then, you’ll just have to watch this space.

With the iGaming industry currently experiencing a perfect storm of evolving technology, progressive regulation and increased internet penetration, we sat down with BETBAZAR’s Chief Operating Officer, Max Sevostianov, to get his take on the latest emerging trends for operators to keep an eye on and how they could potentially alter the gambling landscape in the next few years.

You’ve previously spoken about the increased adoption of AI being one of the most notable recent developments in iGaming, but outside of this technology are there any other notable emerging trends that you think will play a major role in shaping the future of the industry?

From my perspective the growing prevalence of mobile gaming continues to have a major impact on how the iGaming industry is evolving. Driven by the increased availability of smartphones/tablets and greater internet penetration, mobile gaming offers unparalleled accessibility and convenience, which in turn enables users to enjoy their favourite games anytime, anywhere. Somewhat related to that, I think we’re also seeing live streaming platforms become much more popular and channels like Twitch – which is now the go-to medium for esports coverage – are becoming an essential part of operators’ toolkits. Finally on a more personal note, I’m a big believer in the potential of VR and AR technology. With recent games like No Man’s Sky providing immersive VR experiences where players can really feel the emotion of what it might be like to command their own spaceship, I really think the entertainment they provide will be key to the future of iGaming.

Looking specifically at the changing gaming preferences of customers, it seems that player interaction and community involvement are becoming increasingly important to operators looking to generate sustained user engagement. Do you expect products like crash games and bet-behind slots that offer these social aspects to become even more popular in future?

Definitely. Whether it’s having multi-player compatibility or providing social aspects that allow users to engage with each other and share the betting experience, any product feature that promotes unity will play an important role in increasing audience engagement. You only need to look at recent high-quality titles like Helldivers 2 to see how effective these gameplay elements can be. Here, the developers have created a co-operative third-person shooter where players compete in teams, invite their friends and socialise with one another to create a more immersive experience. I think when analysing this type of game, you have to make a distinction between the gambling side of things and the entertainment aspect – and I’m a big believer in the value of the latter, as this is what will ultimately provide the user experience that keeps players coming back.

Likewise, when it comes to sportsbooks, live streaming and in-play betting – especially micro-betting – seem to be major focus areas for operators these days. Does the availability of better technology for higher-quality streams, more accurate live data and real time interaction now make it even easier for operators to provide a more immersive experience?

I believe at this moment in time, having the capability to supply fast gaming and fast betting is one of the biggest priorities for sportsbook operators. Advances in technology have made it possible to provide better quality live streams and more accurate live data feeds, which in turn enable bettors to make more informed decisions in real time. This of course goes hand-in-hand with live betting and micro betting, as having this up-to-the-second information available gives bettors more confidence in what they’re doing and empowers them to make quick bets on the fly. I think from the operators’ side of things, having access to official data providers has also made a big difference, as they are now able to work with reliable data that not only helps them provide a fairer and more enjoyable experience to users, but also assists them in analysing their business as well.

Finally, in terms of how new iGaming trends are formed, what is it that you think drives change in the industry? Is it shifting regulations, the emergence of new technologies or evolving player preferences/demographics that mainly informs how operators will respond?

The formation of new iGaming trends is driven by a combination of factors – and while in the long term I think the three you’ve mentioned are pretty much parallel, at this precise moment in time I’d put regulation in first place. All countries are trying to provide a healthy environment in which iGaming businesses can grow while also ensuring that player safety remains a key consideration. This is great, because it means that in regulated markets there are clear and understandable rules about what businesses can and can’t do, so they’re all starting from a level playing field. This obviously has a knock-on effect on how technology develops, as once these parameters have been set, your aim is to provide the best product you can within the constraints of that framework. Of course, player preferences also play an big part and regulators are often slow to cotton on to things like the popularity of esports, but over time they’re usually able to adapt to public demand.

We sit down with Dee Maher, CEO of La Royale Gaming Investments, to learn more about her recent appointment as CEO and how the company is set to challenge the gaming industry’s conventions.

La Royale Gaming Investments has bold plans to become a true power player and redefine industry standards. Through acquisitions and mergers, it intends to build an “ecosystem” of online and offline companies, covering both B2B and B2C. Its first play is Quanta, a unique content aggregation platform designed to leverage a high volume with a focus on delivering unparalleled value at a fair price, aiming to introduce innovative solutions for both operators and suppliers. To learn more about La Royale and its goals for the coming 12 months, we spoke with recently appointed CEO, Dee Maher.

Tell us more about your journey to being appointed as CEO of La Royale Gaming Investments.

I’ve been working in the global online gambling industry for many years now in roles covering legal and compliance leadership. Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege to work for some of the biggest organisations in the business including the likes of Genesis Global, Betclic, Vera&John and Evolution Gaming. When I was approached about joining La Royale Gaming Investments as CEO, it was an offer that I couldn’t turn down. Recognising the company’s ambition to forge a transformative path in the gaming sector, I was compelled by the vision to lead change and drive innovation. My decision to accept was driven by a profound commitment to spearhead our mission, leveraging the remarkable talents of our team to redefine industry standards and make a lasting impact.

What are your main responsibilities and where are you looking to progress most?

I have been tasked with supervising the expansion of our investment portfolio by recognising opportunities that are aligned with our online and offline strategies. I am also overseeing the day-to-day running of Quanta, our inaugural venture, which stands out in the crowded marketplace as a game aggregation platform like no other. In terms of where we are looking to make the most progress, we plan to curate a unique ecosystem of innovative offline and online gaming companies through strategic mergers and acquisitions which combined will make La Royale Gaming Investments a real tour-de-force in the sector and one of the top tier companies with interests across both B2B and B2C.

How is La Royale Gaming Investments going to disrupt the industry? Is it taking a different approach?

La Royale Gaming Investments is poised to redefine the gaming industry with a strategy rooted in bold vision and innovation. We have built out the best team to deploy these ambitious plans and achieve our strategic goals. We are well-capitalised and have lined up our first run of acquisitions, starting with Quanta. Our approach focuses on identifying USPs within each business we engage, introducing ground-breaking offerings to the market. With Quanta, that is being the first mass-market game aggregation platform, creating value for both operators and suppliers. This is an industry where many follow the same blueprint, but we know that to pull distance from our competitors, we need to do things a little differently.

I think our biggest point of difference is that we are curating an ecosystem of innovative businesses across all areas of gambling and gaming. This includes both online and offline, and both B2B and B2C. There are not many organisations in the industry that are this broad and diverse so again this is an area where we can really stand out.

You mentioned that Quanta is the first mass-market game aggregation platform. What does it offer operators and suppliers and how is it different to other solutions in the market?

Quanta has been developed so that it can handle the largest possible volume of games from a diverse array of providers and seamlessly integrate with a vast network of operators. Due to this volume, we can offer the best commercial deals to both parties. Our scale, in collaboration with leading studios and casinos, positions us as a frontrunner in content distribution. Furthermore, we are committed to achieving certifications across all significant regulated markets. For operators, this means they can quickly and easily add games to their lobbies and for studios, it means access to the widest distribution network and thanks to our minimum reseller fee structure, we make this access available to all providers from the established titans to the rising stars.

But just to be clear, Quanta transcends the ordinary, offering not just a cost-effective solution but a sophisticated high-performance platform. The platform is state of the art, allowing for seamless integrations for both operators and suppliers while ensuring the highest standards of resilience and performance. The concept is simple – high volume, low cost – but the advanced technology and strategic foresight required to realise this vision set us apart from conventional solutions in the market.

Content provision is highly competitive so what makes you confident that Quanta will be heard above the noise being made by other providers and aggregators?

Our mass market approach is unique and is already helping us to stand out and generate significant interest from both studios and operators. In the current challenging economic landscape, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount for all stakeholders. But our advantageous commission structure is not the only way we are helping here. At present, operators often have many integrations with various aggregators and directly with game providers. This is inefficient and expensive. With Quanta, operators can plug into a single platform and access all the content they need for each market they target allowing them to save significant resources or to deploy these resources elsewhere.

On the subject of the current economic climate. Is now a good time to be building a business based around M&A?

That depends on how you are approaching your M&A activity and whether an organisation is taking on debt. Timing can be crucial here – you just have to look at the likes of 888 to see how a change in the direction of the wind can have a brutal impact on the wider organisation. That said, there are always plenty of opportunities to acquire great businesses, technologies, solutions and so on, and part of my remit as CEO is to spot these and if they align with our wider approach, make a move. I think the 12 months ahead will be incredibly exciting when it comes to M&A, with some truly transformational deals taking place – something that La Royale Gaming Investments intends to be a part of.