ICE and LAC London

[The Dude]

Getting ready for the annual London trip. I'll be meeting up with casino operators, software providers, licensing jurisdiction reps, and more.

If you have any specific questions, or would like me to check something out, please post them here. I will be checking on this thread while I'm on the road.

 

[The Dude]

All that hullabaloo over Betfred, the GRA, and Finsoft, issues with Playtech's software play for fun mode - and no one has questions? Okay, this is going to be an easy trip

 

[Richas]

All that hullabaloo over Betfred, the GRA, and Finsoft, issues with Playtech's software play for fun mode - and no one has questions? Okay, this is going to be an easy trip

LOL.

I think there is still a bit of shock at just what the Playtech and Finsoft issues mean. It just seems to get bigger and worse.

I am beginning to wonder if Playtech, Finsoft and the GRA get that this issue of deception, not explaining how games work properly and then changing how they work seemingly at will and without telling anyone whilst running play game versions that are different is a huge issue. Do they get that it hits at the heart of confidence in the whole industry or not?

I would also be interested in reactions and comments on the new UK licence requirements which are likely to mean that all sites for UK customers will have to have a UK licence. What are the implications? How does the industry feel about the costs and the new point of consumption tax. Whether anyone will stop serving the UK. its a big change to have only one question on so its more a news update on reaction that I am interested in.

 

[Mousey]

Please understand that as a USA player, I can't even go take a look at the games involved in this madness. LOL Many of us are accustomed to playing land based casinos which have strict oversight by a state gaming board. Games must be tested and tested and retested and approved directly by the board before casinos can place them on their gaming floor. If someone monkeys with that game/machine, they will be arrested. Once on the gaming floor, if an individual game/machine is suspected of operating out of the norm, it is shut down and the board will be called in to investigate if 'tinkering' is even suspected. If that machine/game is found to have been altered from it's original, approved configuration, heads will roll.

At any rate... I have so many questions I could fill a book... but will keep it to few ...(note that my concerns are with the games and oversight - the OP's veracity is neither here nor there to me)...

Who is responsible for seeing to it that online casino games are fair and operate in accordance with the regulator's guidelines? If no one looks after this little item why not, and what steps will be taken to put some game oversight into place?

How many people/companies are allowed to jimmy a game before a casino releases it to be played? Who oversees this?

If a card game doesn't operate as if real cards are used (as specified in regulations and by common sense) then it's a slot machine and should be classified as such. Any other presentation is fraudulent and any casino offering such games should be penalized, and announcements/press releases should be made to inform players.

What are the GRA findings in this Finsoft/Speilo/Betfred mess? A full, explanatory statement before I get older and grayer would be nice.

Oh!! edited to add:

If you meet up with some of the RTG reps, please ask them to speak with their processors about these weird hidden charges that show up on our cards after we deposit. For example: we deposit $25.05, + $1 card fee, + whatever the processor decides to take out (can be anywhere from a few cents to a couple of dollars) = $27.33. And we don't get to see that hidden charge until it shows up in our card statement.

 

[just play]

All that hullabaloo over Betfred, the GRA, and Finsoft, issues with Playtech's software play for fun mode - and no one has questions? Okay, this is going to be an easy trip

I just thought no one wanted to bog down another thread.


A simple question like Mousey said would be my choice....

What are the GRA findings in this Finsoft/Speilo/Betfred mess? A full, explanatory statement before I get older and grayer would be nice.

 

[Dipity]

Can you ask the big operators where they stand in terms of licensing for Spain, ie; are any of them currently trying to get their licenses, or planning on it in the near future?

Cheers!

 

[jamie]

What I would like to see before playing online ever again

Strictly regulated fair play for patrons with published and audited pay out percentages .

Jamie

 

[Orbmail]

Exclusion

Hi Bryan,
Could you ask the different operators why some of them do not have straight forward self exclusion sections in their casinos, if a person feels they are excessively spending and need to cool off for say a month, that option should just be a click away, this is not the case with a lot of casinos
Enjoy the pints on Tuesday, Liam.

 

[kahva75]

Could you check what the h*** is wagershare doing?

 

[HIGHIQ]

about battlestar slot of MG software...

probaly wrong pays in the freespin mode (fightmode)

i have a post here as u had read before..

i have wager so much on several casinos ofcourse big losing sessions... if the wrong pay is real as i say who is gonna pay the casino or the software provider?

and how they gonna compensate ?? a wrong pay is a wrong pay...i am gonna do a pab soon as Max can understand my english

 

[incrediblestuff]

I'm wondering what is going to be presented in the LAC, would love to go there myself, but i'll start of with my questions for the ICE.

1:
What is going to happen with this WMS take over? what are their plans, and which Casino operators are currently in negotiations, or already under agreement.

2:
What are Casinos doing in the light of current events, concerning game certifications, RNG testing, and quality control: is there a common factor of interest, and will they be focusing on that industry wide?

3:
Are there any BIG changes coming in 2013: new platforms, unexpected co-operations of software providers, Take overs and whatnot?
I have the idea that a lot of the possibilities with modern scripting, aren't used to the full extent, in terms of the players experience.
(I'm talking a bout notifications and pop ups of modest size, and aggressiveness, to notify players of unused bonuses, expiry of documents, expiry of comp-points, preferably on request by mouse-click, not automated)


And for the LAC:
Are their any plans to make the affiliate programs in general, more user-friendly?
I ask that since the ones i joined, are all workable, but in my short experience, it already deems me open to improvement:
I am talking overview of costs and fees, easy drag and drop menus to make stats/compare stats, one click rapports of any possible parameters, with graphics etc. and maybe even an experimental function, where you could input parameters, in different scenarios to test the outcomes in terms of costs, fees and remaining revenue, user friendly being the key word mind you

It all seems a bit outdated in some areas: but i might be jumping the gun, as i do not fully know the scope of my diverse panels: but then again if they were really user-friendly, i might have already known

I was just adding my 2 cent, which at the moment only might be worth 1 cent

 

[Mark Steen]

bonus bets

i would like to see all casinos who issue free bonuses to have a system that does not let the player play a sake higher than is permitted in their t's and c's.

 

[yahoo2u2]

Why do STAR GAMES change the play code of the machines

Hi
I dont know if they will be present, but as a constant player of stargames via other sites such as Grosvenor Casinos, I have noted that they are not consistent in game play with losses far greater than those of the casino floor in real casinos. The payouts seem to have been reduced via software. For example Dolphins Pearl Deluxe no longer plays the same and is continually on a take mode regardless of how long one plays. The same goes for Lucky Ladys Charm also poor play. The former took over 5K in one session. Features are getting rarer and rarer with few re-triggers now available.

It is clear that the code has been changed into the benefit of the casinos.

 

[Redbush54]

My concerns (which have already been mentioned in this thread)
1. Betfred
2. Finsoft and GRA
3. WMS and Jackpot Party after the sale

And a new one
1. Did C-planet rebrand? If so to what......I want our money that they have.

 

[Realitybitez]

i would like to see all casinos who issue free bonuses to have a system that does not let the player play a sake higher than is permitted in their t's and c's.

I'd be interested in that too. And a system which blocks restricted games so one does not accidentaly play them when trying to meet wagering requirements

 

[Simmo!]

Hi
I dont know if they will be present, but as a constant player of stargames via other sites such as Grosvenor Casinos, I have noted that they are not consistent in game play with losses far greater than those of the casino floor in real casinos. The payouts seem to have been reduced via software. For example Dolphins Pearl Deluxe no longer plays the same and is continually on a take mode regardless of how long one plays. The same goes for Lucky Ladys Charm also poor play. The former took over 5K in one session. Features are getting rarer and rarer with few re-triggers now available.

It is clear that the code has been changed into the benefit of the casinos.

I'm meeting them. I'm pretty sure they are indirectly owned by Greentube who are in fact a Novomatic company so I would be *very* surprised if the RTP's were different.

The advertised online RTP of Lucky Lady's Charm is 97% (which is the same at 3 casinos I have checked) while Dolphins Pearl is 96%. In UK land-based casinos, the Super Gaminators they feature on fall into bands: 90-92%, 92-94% and 94-96% meaning the online version is supposed to pay more.

But...these are very high variance machines - I spent a whole eveing in Empire in Leicester Square last year playing the Novo's without one single bonus round lol and you frequently get 500+ spins without one on DP and LLC. This is why retriggers are so frequent. Pretty much ALL the big payouts come from free spins and the free spins usually pays well. So you can see how they are weighted.

Anyway...I'll see what I can find out.

 

[barbz043]

HI Brian...

Can you ask why RTG has restriced some people, if they win big, from using bonus coupons. As everyone know, it takes a few times through the slots to start winning. I have deposited over 2k a month for a year and have won. I was a VIP now I am nothing. I don't think this is fair or legit. I have been told by their casino managers that they have nothing to do with the reels...so what does a bonus have to do with it. It's luck and I just happened to be there at the right time playing the right slots. Does any of this make sense....they lost a good customer

 

[barbz043]

more form me

Also why does getting my money take so long....I'm waiting on 7500.00 right now

 

[nikantw]

Hi,

What about this?

"Remote gambling industry tells European Commission that Greek enforcement measures “unworkable and illegal”

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has today submitted a complaint to the European Commission about the enforcement measures introduced in Greece to protect the OPAP online gambling monopoly. The RGA believes that they are illegal and unworkable and calls on the Greek Government to regulate an open market in online gambling for the benefit of Greek customers, the Government and online operators."

 

[perksy]

For what it's worth...

Well, I'm in the US, so I guess what you are doing in London doesn't really apply to us, but I sure wish you a good trip and hope you get back safely!
Perksy

 

[Nightfly]

Well, I'm in the US, so I guess what you are doing in London doesn't really apply to us, but I sure wish you a good trip and hope you get back safely!
Perksy

I'm certain that casinomeister is looking out for US players as well. Considering strict US laws and limited software providers there is not much anyone can do. RTG has the advantage here and they know it. They need competition. I would appreciate it if the Meister can ask Microgaming and other leading Euro software providers thier thoughts about infiltrating the US market.

 

[DavidEC]

Hey guys,

My questions are a bit different to the ones so far.

I was wondering what the general consensus is among casino operators regarding social media. Do many plan to make it a cornerstone of their strategy? Would they agree that Mobile and Social tech go hand in hand?

My 2nd question is - would whomever you speak to agree that innovation is largely dead in our industry? Why do we not see new types of slots or casino games, instead of effectively just new skins and payout mechanics?

Best I can come up with whilst on the road!

See you soon everyone

 

[Blathaon]

Please let playtech know that their autoplay settings could use some updating. All they currently offer is x number of spins and until feature.

It would be nice to be able to set stop triggers for different things. Such as if win exceeds x , and if balance decreases by x , etc.
They could learn a thing or two from Netent's autoplay settings.

 

[Simmo!]

Hey guys,

My questions are a bit different to the ones so far.

I was wondering what the general consensus is among casino operators regarding social media. Do many plan to make it a cornerstone of their strategy? Would they agree that Mobile and Social tech go hand in hand?

Great question. +1

Please let playtech know that their autoplay settings could use some updating. All they currently offer is x number of spins and until feature.

It would be nice to be able to set stop triggers for different things. Such as if win exceeds x , and if balance decreases by x , etc.
They could learn a thing or two from Netent's autoplay settings.

And while you're at it, ask them why they are doing bet increments that double your bet on a lot of their new slots games and ALL the mobile slots. IE: Kong $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 etc - nothing inbetween. Stupid stupid stupid

 

[Blathaon]

Great question. +1



And while you're at it, ask them why they are doing bet increments that double your bet on a lot of their new slots games and ALL the mobile slots. IE: Kong $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 etc - nothing inbetween. Stupid stupid stupid

Yes that is really annoying, i remember you writing about this awhile back. i have no idea who at playtech thought that was a good idea, and why the rest of them went along with it .
you would think that the more flexible the bet size, the more play the slots will get.

 

[plasticnote]

To MG:

1) LOTR non-jackpot version is a great slots. Does MG plan to reuse this slots with different theme eg. thunderstuck III or something else?

2) From MG point of view, which offers better chances on slots: A. dedicated to 1 casino B. spare the bankroll around in many casinos.

thanks

plasticnote

 

[ValDes]

I think the key word in all the events, dedicated to online gambling industry this year (including the upcoming ICE and LAC) would be TRANSPARENCY!

None of your(or our) questions would matter that much, if you (and all of us either) do not push every now and then the door, behind which are kept all the casino's secrets! I mean, isn't it just the right time (in the light of all the ongoing scandals) for the biggest players on the market to reveal some of their underware? Or, at least some of it, if it's too dirty, you know

So Bryan, no matter what you and your companians would ask there, if you manage to lift the curtains just a little bit, IMHO that would be a huge success for all of us!

 

[queensx3]

cwc group

I would love for CWC to have a cashier available 24/7.

 

[gooneybird]

Hey guys,

My questions are a bit different to the ones so far.

I was wondering what the general consensus is among casino operators regarding social media. Do many plan to make it a cornerstone of their strategy? Would they agree that Mobile and Social tech go hand in hand?

My 2nd question is - would whomever you speak to agree that innovation is largely dead in our industry? Why do we not see new types of slots or casino games, instead of effectively just new skins and payout mechanics?

Best I can come up with whilst on the road!

See you soon everyone

Here's my take on your questions.


With regards to social media, I think most operators will see it as simply another acquisition tool, I do believe that the winners will start incorporating social media facets into their current products and use the data gained to make more focused and value added direct marketing to their players. Mobile will obviously keep growing but it will be some time before it overtakes the standard PC/Mac browser based market. That said, they can both co-exist, and are in fact doing so quite nicely now.

As for industry innovation. There is a lot of innovation in slots if you know what to look for, but like any established product there are finite limits to what you can do with them before they become something else entirely.

To illustrate this concept, take the example of automobiles, they have from some perspectives not changed significantly since the Model-T that Ford made famous, 4 wheels, brakes, steering, lights, seats, doors, cab, etc. Could you add 2 more wheels, wings, and a helicopter rotor and still call it a car? I think you would have a hard time arguing that there have not been significant innovations in autos since their inception, though most have been "under the hood" so to speak.

Slots have existed since the late 1800's, computers and advanced graphics have given us the tools to create truly innovative slots that have features that far exceed those initially envisioned when the humble first slot machines were built. Innovation in slots happens chiefly in feature sets, animations, and with the math. Sure there are some companies that just churn out simple slots and masses of skins, but most of the real games makers put a huge amount of time into developing fun, feature rich, but simple slots that players enjoy. Its more of an innovation by subtle elegance than a straight up redefinition of what a slot is.

Got back from ICE last night, I like the new venue, even though its a bit isolated.

Regards,

-Gooney

 

[maxd]

Could you check what the h*** is wagershare doing?

That's a bit non-specific, but I have your PAB and am working on it so perhaps that will shed some light on your question(s).

 

[The Dude]

I've just uploaded the ICE/LAC report here:

https://www.casinomeister.com/newsletters/
And Max has uploaded a sparate report here:
Link Outdated / Removed

I wasn't able to get to a number of questions here since the ICE was massive, and unfortunately, many of the booths were manned by clueless sales people. This is more common than not now a days.

I didn't have a chance to meet up with the GRA commissioner since our schedules conflicted, but I did meet with Betfred's rep who detailed the Finsoft/Spielo incident. This I mention in the report and in the corresponding threads.

I think the key word in all the events, dedicated to online gambling industry this year (including the upcoming ICE and LAC) would be TRANSPARENCY!

Check out Kahnawake's complaint summaries in the report. This is exactly what a licensing jurisdiction should be doing.

I would appreciate it if the Meister can ask Microgaming and other leading Euro software providers thier thoughts about infiltrating the US market.

There are no plans but everyone is waiting patiently.

What is going to happen with this WMS take over? what are their plans...

There should not be any noticeable changes.

 

[alexfinix]

Thanks from Casinodailynews crew

Hey Casinomeister,

This is just to say thanks very much for your guys' panel discussion 'Inside players' minds' at the LAC. Also kudos for letting us film and giving us a short interview! (And yes, there is also some 'Marketing in eigener Sache' involved

In case you are interested to check out your interview or one of the many other catch-ups we have had during this eventful week in London watch this space:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

We will be adding interviews with casino operators, game providers and industry giants like you as we go along and get along in terms of valuable editing time.

Next in line this week is Ramiro from Argentina based games supplier Leander Games on their latest and upcoming coups.

Thanks and enjoy,
Alex