“ Our appeal lies in the ability to provide a communal and interactive platform , attracting players who enjoy the communal elements of a crash game ”
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CASINO & GAMES
More so than slots , crash games lend themselves well to social gaming
THE ROLE OF REGULATION We also need to consider regulation given the vertical is relatively nascent . BetGames ’ Koeberl believes this is a variable that needs consideration .
“ We certainly see challenges in some markets . We ’ ve picked up on early signals from Africa that the concept is being challenged by some regulators already .
“ As we speak , we ’ re still in the certification process in various jurisdictions , so we ’ ve yet to witness any massive obstacles .”
Indeed , being such a new vertical means regulation hasn ’ t yet caught up . “ At the end of the day , it ’ s an RNG game , right ? So , we hope there won ’ t be any specific issues with the genre ,” he says .
This will likely be the bigger question of how they ’ re defined . Slots , for example , seem to be absorbing the most regulatory attention .
That ’ s certainly the case with stake limits . One can argue that Crash Games , just as Spribe says , are all about low stakes and extended playing time , which is regulation friendly .
Koeberl agrees wholeheartedly . “ I think regulatory issues have to be seen from a broader perspective because of the incredible boom and rise of the instant games category .
“ Our appeal lies in the ability to provide a communal and interactive platform , attracting players who enjoy the communal elements of a crash game ”
Alex Ratcliffe , 1X2 Network
“ Slots see a lot of player protection campaigns alongside the rise in volumes in the last year , and I think crash games fit into that broader picture of instant games rather than crash games alone .”
1X2 ’ s Ratcliffe concurs this is a vertical that still requires regulatory definition in many aspects .
“ The regulatory landscape for games like Maverick is complex , as this is a relatively new game type in the igaming sector ,” he makes clear . “ The different regulatory bodies across jurisdictions have differing views on how they should categorise and regulate crash games .
“ This presents both challenges and opportunities in our planning and development process ,” he continues . “ While navigating these regulatory nuances requires careful consideration , it also serves to allow us to be innovative within the framework of different regulations .”
As arguably there are very few studios still defining this space , this will likely be the biggest factor in how crash games take off in 2024 . The popularity is clearly there .
The multiplayer and social element is perfect for harnessing Generation Z , as well as the low barriers of entry for sports fans .
Indeed , providing the perfect product that can persuade sports bettors to give casino a try for the first time , is the perennial holy grail for all operators . The skies above certainly look clear and trouble-free , which goes to suggest it will happen this year , as long as regulation permits .
26 • ISSUE 135 • ICE LONDON 2024