MGM Resorts and Entain Launch Collaborations with Playtech

Evolution’s Live Casino Games About to Face Fierce Competition

Money gaming giant Evolution dominates the Indian online casino market, holding a share of about 60% to 70%. However, it is about to face global competition from Playtech. Playtech has formed partnerships with gambling operators MGM Resorts and Entain.

Playtech recently announced a strategic partnership with MGM Resorts International. This collaboration will stream live casino content directly from the Bellagio and the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip.

The partnership will initially feature European (single-zero) and American (double-zero) Roulette and Baccarat games. It will expand to include exclusive access to various Playtech games. Games like branded TV game shows, celebrity-hosted trivia shows, and unique entertainment experiences associated with Las Vegas and MGM Resorts.

MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle emphasized that this new live casino offering aligns with their strategic vision to become the world’s premier gaming entertainment company.

“This alliance combines the strength of MGM Resorts’ global prestige with Playtech’s extensive international market knowledge and innovative games. As a leading technology provider in regulated markets, we are delighted that this partnership is pioneering a new live entertainment category and product offering for players in these regulated territories,” Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said.

“Our alliance is built on a shared vision to create an innovative and unique customer experience alongside our commitment to safer gambling. Both Playtech and MGM Resorts are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of player protection and ensuring our offerings are enjoyed responsibly,” Weizer explained.

Indian Players Follow the Trends and Want Their Casino Games Live

Our analysis of modern-day casino players in India indicates that desi players are aligning with global trends in iGaming.

In general, popular games feature a live dealer or host. This setup resembles an event rather than a detached experience.

Even traditional Asian games, which attract considerable mobile casino interest, are increasingly sought after in live studio versions. This allows desi players to enjoy dynamic and original content while adhering to familiar game rules. Live dealers or hosts are essential in nearly every top-ranked game category, except for slots.

In this mobile-first environment, there is a high demand for Live Casino content. Evolution, a prominent game provider, has captured significant portions of Indian money game operator turnovers with its popular titles. Notably, Lightning Roulette accounts for a 15.68% share of total turnovers, followed by Crazy Time at 6.41% and Auto-Roulette at 5.36%.

Lightning Storm Game Show will Launch on 31st of July 2024

Evolution, currently ranked as the third-largest gambling business in the world, has a market cap of $22.36 billion (₹1.87 lakh crore).

At the ICE London event in February 2024, the company revealed its latest Game Show, Lightning Storm.

Described as “the biggest, most epic Lightning game yet in Evolution’s multi-award-winning Lightning family of games,” Lightning Storm is set to launch for the general public on July 31. It aims to build on the success of its predecessors, Crazy Time and Funky Time.

The game features a gigantic money wheel powered by DigiWheel patented technology, along with five intriguing bonus games. A vast wall of multipliers and instant payouts are expected to make Lightning Storm the next money maker for Evolution. It will also introduce another title from the same family, Lightning Dragon Tiger, which is an electrifying remake of the traditional Asian card game.

Tood Haushalter gives more insight into the game

“We have said many times that we are launching the biggest, most complex, and most expensive game we have ever made. And that is true again this year with our newest game show, Lightning Storm.” Evolution’s Chief Product Officer Todd Haushalter commented.

“With its five distinct bonus rounds, the development of this game is the equivalent of making six different games. The idea here is to show players where Lightning Roulette and the rest of the Lightning family comes from. It gives players a sort of look behind the curtain. And I believe it will be our biggest game since Crazy Time,” Haushalter added.

Evolution’s CPO shared his enthusiasm for all Live Casino genres. “Game shows get all the attention and they are the most important games for separating our offering from other live providers. However, the 2024 roadmap also gives plenty of attention to the big three core games of Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat. With new innovations coming for each of these.”

“We will also be launching new slot innovations, bonusing systems and new ways to play slots – trying to advance the online slot space as a whole. In other words, there is something for everyone in the 2024 roadmap and we could not be more excited!”

Playtech Works with Entain to Launch The Chase Live Game Show 

However, Evolution is not the only money gaming giant planning major expansions for 2024. Playtech’s strategic planning team has also been busy.

The company has partnered with Entain, which has a market capitalization of $5.22 billion (₹43,630 crore). Together, they will launch a new Live Casino offering based on The Chase. A TV Game Show with a viewership of 4 million in the UK.

In this casino version, the part where the audience answers trivia questions will be replaced with a Plinko board and bonus features. The new Game Show will first be released in the UK, Ontario, Belgium, and Brazil, with South Africa and Italy following shortly.

“This new gameshow, developed in partnership with Entain and ITV, is the first plinko live game developed by Playtech featuring two unique bonus rounds, emulating the experience of the original popular game show,” Playtech Chief Product Innovation Officer Kevin Kilminster said.

“The launch of “The Chase” reaffirms Entain as the home of innovation, excitement, and fun. We are always striving to create innovative content that stands out in the growing live gameshow genre. As the data shows, it has already been a hit with our customers around the world and we expect the game to continue its impressive growth trajectory,” Entain’s Global Head of Live and Table Games Graciella Anthony commented.

BetMGM Recognized at the ERG North America Awards 2024

BetMGM received double recognition at the ERG North America Awards 2024. These awards are considered the premier gaming awards in North America. The award show took place in New York City on June 27.

BetMGM was named Sports Betting Operator of the Year. This award recognized its ability to innovate and stand out in a crowded industry. The company successfully formed strategic partnerships with X and Marriott Bonvoy. Thus capitalizing on its unique omnichannel advantage in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII.

The Employer of the Year award went to BetMGM for demonstrating “its commitment to organizational performance improvement through investment in the recruitment, personal and skills development, and motivation of every employee.”

“Winning two EGR North America Awards is a tremendous honor. We have a passionate team at BetMGM dedicated to delivering best-in-class betting experiences which saw exponential leaps in capability this year with unparalleled omnichannel opportunities, enhanced user interface and increased brand visibility. These awards are a tribute to all the hard work and the strong culture that we are building at BetMGM,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt stated.