Innovate Gaming Review 2013/14 Edition 1 | Page 10

INNOVATE GAMING | PRODUCTS INNOVATE GAMING | PRODUCTS IGT DoubleDown Partnership Program Bally Mobile Platform The world’s largest free-to-play casino and only social site to offer land-based gaming content, DoubleDown Casino continues its journey of innovation since being acquired by International Game Technology in early 2012. During the time of social gaming infancy, DoubleDown invented norms and unravelled a unique partnership program that has gained much esteem throughout the year. Bally Technologies provides two distinct mobile solutions, external-facing apps for casino patrons and internal-facing apps for employees. Both are a cut-above their competition and key innovations in the mobile gaming industry. DoubleDown Casino is the most comprehensive social casino on web and mobile, exclusive to Facebook. It features a range of more than 40 casino games including player-favourite IGT slots such as Wolf Run, Kitty Glitter and Cleopatra. Now with about 80 employees, DoubleDown is taking the sector storm, regularly launching new titles and introducing pioneering gameplay and features in social gaming. “With more than 6 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide and 87 percent of the world population using mobile devices,” expressed Aron Erza, Bally VP for Mobile, “there is no doubt that entering and succeeding in the mobile space is an important objective for casino operators.” The Bally mobile technology platform allows casinos to build and manage custom, native iPhone®, iPad®, Android® and Blackberry® apps and other smart-phone devices, all from a step-by-step content management system. Distribution of apps is at the descretion of the casino, but player apps are generally available for free download on the iTunes® store, Android® marketplace and Google Play®. As Facebook advances and social network development becomes more in tune with consumer technologies, DoubleDown expands. Social gaming conversion rates are similar to the numbers seen during the early days of online gaming and continue to augment as free-to-play versions of games entice a wider demographic of player. More than 1.69 million daily users currently engage with the social casino. Revenue increased 105 percent year-on-year for the first 6 months of 2013 and average spend per user grew 60 percent. DoubleDown continues to attract new players with added functionality such as the recent launch of full French, German and Spanish versions. “Our goal is absolutely to make DoubleDown Casino a global brand and global experience,” commented John Clelland, VP of Global Marketing for IGT Interactive and DoubleDown Casino. “We are able to bring a new slot game to players every other week. That kind of focus on new content has been one of big differentiators in allowing us to continue to grow.” An abundance of social casino games have entered the market after IGT helped advance DoubleDown onto the map, looking to earn revenue through in-game purchases or using Facebook as a test-ground for real-money games. Ahead of a clear legislative path, IGT is instead integrating social back into the gaming industry through the DoubleDown Partnership Program. The IGT DoubleDown Partnership Program allows customers to connect with a casino property in a revolutionary new way. Its shows forward thinking on the part of casinos by offering their patrons a full suite of innovative social games via the property’s website and completely branded to the casino. This allows engagement across restricted jurisdictions, acts as a promotional tool across web, mobile and landbased offerings and entices customers into the facility. “Engaging through the website allows players to remain connected to the property they know and trust,” said Eric Tom, IGT Executive VP of Global Sales. “IGT is providing a unique and highly desired service to the casino community, with continuous innovation and proven results in the social gaming arena. 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