Despite being formed some five years ago and making significant headway within an online casino space that rarely leaves room for manoeuvre, 2024 has proven to be somewhat transformational for Peter & Sons in building upon the foundations previously established.
With sights firmly set on further progress as we quickly hurtle towards the turn of the year, Commercial Director and Founder Yann Bautista is keen to stress that this will purely be undertaken via an ambitious but balanced and adaptable approach.
However, any future endeavours will be evidence of the correct steps previously being taken to correctly position the studio for further success, with the current year serving as a prime example of this.
A strategic investment made by SkillOnNet into the company during the early stages of 2023 served as the perfect springboard for Peter & Sons, Bautista reflects.
“This investment from SkillOnNet marked a turning point, allowing us to acquire our own platform and operate independently,” he says.
“This acquisition provided us licences across key regulated markets, including the MGA, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ontario, New Jersey, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina, positioning us for expansive global deployment.”
“…partnerships with aggregators are often the best option for quick and efficient expansion”
Furthermore, team expansion and development capabilities have enabled the group to meet growing demands and enhance production capabilities, while a slight commercial shift saw a focus placed on aggregator alignments to gain ground on a global basis.
Despite this, Bautista keenly expresses that the alternative route is still favoured for a number of reasons, but is one that can often prove to be unviable when attempting to keep pace within a fast moving industry.
“When it comes to global expansion, direct integration is always our preferred route, as it allows for greater control and customisation,” he continues.
“However, direct integration can be a slow process and isn’t always feasible, especially in rapidly changing markets.
“For this reason, partnerships with aggregators are often the best option for quick and efficient expansion, enabling us to reach a wider audience faster while maintaining compliance across multiple regions.”
An aggregation focus saw partnerships alongside the likes of Hub88, Playtech, IGT, Light & Wonder, Relax, Betconstruct, EveryMatrix and Octavian Labs, to name a few, which delivered launches across European markets such as the UK, Denmark and Italy. However, Peter & Sons notes that its interests spread beyond merely being a one continent approach.
“We’ve also expanded our offerings beyond traditional slots, venturing into new game types such as scratch cards and instant games”
“Our compliance team has been pivotal in helping us secure licences in key markets,” he explains. “In North America, we’ve obtained licences in Ontario and New Jersey, with plans to secure additional licences in the region. In South America, we’ve successfully entered Peru and Argentina, and we are now finalising our licence in Brazil.
“In Southern Europe, we are expanding our presence in Italy and are actively growing in a number of key markets. These strategic moves are positioning us for sustained growth across critical global markets.”
Moving on, Bautista touches upon what the future pipeline could comprise for Peter & Sons in continuing to look back on the year that was, with segments beyond the traditional slots scene more than a possibility.
“Notable releases this year include the highly anticipated sequel Barbarossa Revenge and Muddy Waters, both of which have received very positive market responses,” he comments.
“We’ve also expanded our offerings beyond traditional slots, venturing into new game types such as scratch cards and instant games to reach a broader audience.”
Adding: “This year saw the launch of high-profile titles, while our upcoming releases are generating significant anticipation with their unique style and innovative mechanics.
“North America is also on our radar, with plans to enter New Jersey soon as part of our broader expansion strategy”
“In terms of recognition, we have been nominated in most of the major game awards, winning several categories at the MiGEA Awards and earning Best Casino Slot Provider for Wild Wild Fishing Mr First at the Betconstruct NFT Arena Awards.
“Additionally, we took home Silver at the SBC Awards and received multiple nominations, EGR, CasinoBeats, Slotwise etc, highlighting our expanding impact and presence in the industry.”
Subsequently, Bautista presses on by looking at what the future could hold. Gazing into his crystal ball, the Peter & Sons Commercial Director and Founder discloses that the studio could be set to announce its arrival across a slew of global jurisdictions.
“Looking ahead, we are actively focusing on expanding into other Southern European markets,” he states.
“These regions offer significant growth opportunities and align with our strategy to strengthen our presence in regulated European markets. Additionally, we’re targeting key regions in South America, with Brazil being a top priority, due to its rapidly growing gaming sector.
“North America is also on our radar, with plans to enter New Jersey soon as part of our broader expansion strategy.”
“Our expectations are high for each new game, but we understand that actual outcomes can vary”
Earlier in the year, Bautista spoke to CasinoBeats and waxed lyrical about the potential of the studio’s roadmap through the remainder of the year.
Among those singled out for particular praise were Barbarossa Revenge, Steamworks, Muddy Waters and Greedy Alice, however, Bautista remains bullish when assessing how Peter & Sons will build on from the turn of the year.
“We’ve already set our roadmap for 2025, though we always leave room to build on successful releases,” he concludes.
“Our expectations are high for each new game, but we understand that actual outcomes can vary. For established titles like Barbarossa, we’re confident in building on its prior success.
“For others, we take a ‘wait and see’ approach—observing player uptake and performance before making further development or expansion decisions. This balanced strategy allows us to be both ambitious and adaptable, responding to what resonates most with our audience.”
