An intense second day of conference activity at the inaugural CasinoBeats Malta Digital Summit, saw attention focused on igaming operators and the avenues they should be exploring to achieve market differentiation during a panel devoted to operators and innovation.
Speaking on the Microgame-sponsored panel were Alex Tomic, CEO of Slots Millions; Marco Costaldo, CEO of Microgame; Aiste Garneviciene, COO of Betgames.tv; and Cristiano Blanco, head of gaming at Kindred. Moderating duties went to iGaming Performance CEO Paul McNea.
The panel delegates addressed a selection of issues, the most pressing of which was how operators can remain competitive and different in an environment where gaming lobbies are populated by essentially the same products. They were also quizzed on the hurdles to operator innovation and how they might be cleared.
When pushed for their definitive view of innovation, the panel largely shared a common approach. Garneviciene was first to respond, advocating that innovation is not only about creating and developing something totally new or unique but developing existing ideas that have already proven successful in the market. “You don’t even need to be a true innovator to innovate,” she said.
Tomic took a similar view, saying: “You don’t need to be a truly crazy innovator to innovate. Learning from the mistakes of the past I would say that small innovation, player focused, with iterations seem to me to be much more productive than breakthrough innovation. At least it’s less risky. A breakthrough innovation can make a big difference but it’s one chance out of 100.”
Castaldo advocated the need for differentiation, saying: “Innovation is more of a relative concept than an absolute concept. We’re in business; we’re not scientists. So what’s important for me as a company if you want to have long-term success in the business is you’ve got to have a strategy where you differentiate yourself from your competitors. And so what you do differently for me is innovation.”
Departing from that line, Blanco told the conference that the industry needs a wake-up call, specifically on the B2C front. “I’m afraid that we are losing the line of innovation – to fulfil our need to innovate. I would like the B2C to help and be more active when it comes to innovation,” he said.
CasinoBeats Malta Digital, delivered in association with Gaming Malta, takes place from 30 June to 2 July 2020 and features 40 virtual exhibitors, numerous networking opportunities, 130 leading speakers, and countless business opportunities for 3,000 senior decision-makers from operators, suppliers, affiliates and other industry stakeholders.
Alongside the exhibition, networking and conference, all delegates also gain access to the full range of entertainment on offer, including free-play slots, daily competitions and a selection of prizes such as iPads and cash.
Find full details of CasinoBeats Malta Digital, including information about how to register and the discounts available on company group passes, at the event’s official website: https://sbcevents.com/casinobeats-malta-digital/
