The BMM Innovation Group (“BMM“), a global leader in technology solutions for the gaming industry, has announced the launch of the BMM Testlabs Brazil Hub.
This innovative microsite, available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, serves as a gateway to Brazil’s iGaming and sports betting market, as well as the promising future of land-based gaming.
The BMM Brazil Hub is a key resource for regulators, suppliers, and operators in Brazil’s dynamic gaming landscape. It provides vital information on Brazil’s gaming regulations and technical standards, as well as insights into the broad range of services offered by BMM Testlabs (product compliance), BIG Cyber (cyber-defense solutions), and RG24seven Virtual Training (responsible gaming, anti-money laundering education).
Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming and Cybersecurity at BMM Testlabs, emphasized the significance of this launch. “With the Brazil Hub, we are delivering more than just information. We’re providing comprehensive solutions that help companies comply with regulations and thrive in this exciting new market. From world-class product compliance to cutting-edge cybersecurity to expert-designed training in responsible gaming and anti-money laundering, our goal is to empower and protect every stakeholder in the gaming sector.”
BMM Testlabs has been authorized by Brazil’s Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas Substituto to test betting systems, online games, and live gaming studios. The Company is also licensed to conduct compliance testing in Rio de Janeiro, Paraíba, and Paraná. With over 43 years of global leadership in product compliance and cybersecurity across regulated markets, BMM continues to be the trusted partner for gaming businesses worldwide.
BMM’s expertise will be on display at ICE Barcelona January 20-22 at Stand No. 2D34. The BIG Group’s team of experts will be available to provide insights into compliance testing, cybersecurity, and virtual training solutions for Brazil and other global markets.
Good morning. VIPs frequenting Macau’s casinos need more than just a gaming table if integrated resorts are to continue to benefit from their patronage. A recent study found that the ‘awe’ factor – combining both skill-based gaming offerings and comped benefits – is key in elevating happiness during the gaming experience and keeping punters returning. Meanwhile, in Curacao, BC.Game has announced that it will withdraw its license from the country, planning to focus elsewhere. Also further abroad, Macau Legend is pushing back against its recent concession termination, calling Cape Verde’s cancellation move an “aggressive act”.
A recent study delving into gaming activity by VIP players at Macau’s integrated resorts has unearthed that players are attracted to play by the ‘awe experience’ granted by the all-encompassing service. The large amount of stimuli provided by the gaming environment can often overrule self-awareness and provide a positive sentiment, pushing players to return to the tables. The study’s authors suggest that IRs leverage this by providing a mixture of skill and strategy offerings, as well as perks and benefits to maximize player retention.
Founded just two years ago with the support of title sponsor 1xBet and under the leadership of renowned coach Lee ‘SunBhie’ Jeong-jae, the Aurora Gaming team now competes in multiple disciplines, including Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, Mobile Legends, and Warcraft.
Altenar, a leading sportsbook provider is bringing its global expertise to Asia, looking to expand its operations. Since 2011, Altenar has powered hundreds of online sports betting sites worldwide and is a major B2B provider in Europe and Latin America licensed markets.
Industry Updates
MGM and Fortune host the Annual Brainstorm Design conference in Macau.
Former MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren has been elevated to the position of Chairman of Resorts World Las Vegas as part of a corporate reshuffle.
According to reports, the move involves the creation of a four-member board of directors, which Murren will lead, to oversee the three-year-old property on the Las Vegas Strip.
Joining the company as CEO is Alex Dixon, a Las Vegas native who recently served as CEO of Q Casino & Resort, in Iowa.
The four-member board will consist of Murren, former Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett, human resources executive Michelle DiTondo and Genting Berhad’s President Kong Han Tan.
Resorts World Las Vegas has faced difficulties recently, recently posting dips in revenue from its United States operations on the back of lower business volumes.
The group is also facing a disciplinary complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board which should be answered by December 9th.
Resorts World Las Vegas could face severe consequences as a result of the complaint, including a possible gaming license suspension or revocation and a multi-million-dollar fine.
Prominent cryptocurrency iGaming platform BC.GAME has announced its decision to withdraw its operating license from Curacao.
The company cites challenges in the regulatory environment as the key reason for this move, which it describes as necessary to strengthen its global compliance strategy.
In a statement to the media, BC.GAME highlights what it calls a lack of adequate legal protections for operators in Curacao, pointing to the island’s outdated bankruptcy law, the “Curacao Bankruptcy Decree” of 1931, as a significant concern. The company states that such gaps in the regulatory framework can expose legitimate operators to exploitation by malicious actors.
Despite this decision, BC.GAME emphasizes that its wider international operations remain unaffected. The platform holds gaming licenses in multiple jurisdictions and affirms its full compliance with all applicable regulatory obligations globally.
In its statement, BC.GAME notes that the global gaming industry is facing increasingly complex regulatory challenges. The company asserts that withdrawing its Curacao license is part of its broader strategy to align with jurisdictions that offer more robust and modern regulatory frameworks. BC.GAME states that this step will enhance the reliability, security, and overall user experience of its services, ensuring continuity for its international operations.
Responding to recent speculation about its financial position, BC.GAME has strongly reaffirmed its financial health. The company assures stakeholders and the public that it remains in a stable position and continues to meet all legal and financial obligations. It further reiterates that its international operations are unaffected by the Curacao license withdrawal.
BC.GAME highlighted that it is committed to expanding its presence in regulated markets and emphasized its dedication to maintaining compliance with industry standards. The company also noted that it places a high priority on preventing gambling addiction through advanced player protection mechanisms.
SimplePlay, a leading company that develops premium games delivering the thrill of the reels to players, has announced the launch of its new slot game, “Doggie Star”.
“Dog lovers will find plenty of excitement in “Doggie Star“! This game takes players into a world of dogs, where they can meet the doggie star and visit her house. Filled with dogs and many treasures, it’s all yours to claim!
“Doggie Star” is a 3×5 reel, 20-line slot. This game contains Wild Symbols with Multiplier Feature to allow bigger wins when the outcome involves Wild Symbols. It also comes with Buy Free Game Feature for players to play Free Games instantly upon purchase. “Doggie Star” has an exciting Free Game Feature.
As players enter Free Games, they will see a matrix of four rooms, while three of them are unlocked at the beginning. Players need to further collect Scatters in the Free Game to unlock these rooms.
Every 3 Scatters collected unlocks one room, which is another slot plus a random number of Free Games further awarded. Once unlocked, all unlocked slots would spin at the same time in one single spin, allowing double, triple, or even quadruple chances of winning!
“Doggie Star” has also applied our new user interface, offering a smoother and more immersive experience. With outstanding responsiveness, gameplay across all devices is now ensured. Please be sure to try it out and enjoy the extraordinary!
Games Global, a leading supplier of iGaming content, has partnered with leading toy and game company Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast division.
The first release of the collaboration, slated for Q1 of 2025, is Dungeons & Dragons Tales of Riches, a Neon Valley Studios creation inspired by the legendary fantasy world of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.
Further iGaming products based on DUNGEONS & DRAGONS are planned for the future as part of this multi-game collaboration.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has captivated fans across generations and become a cultural phenomenon. As part of Hasbro’s year-long celebration of this milestone, Games Global will harness The World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game to create an immersive, high-engagement slot experience, giving operators a chance to tap into the global fanbase.
The partnership with Hasbro will see Games Global diversify its branded content portfolio as it continues to deliver premium games that offer players entirely unique and memorable experiences.
Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, said: “The Hasbro brand is global and transcends the toy and game industry, so it goes without saying that Games Global is incredibly proud to announce this multi-content partnership. Players can look forward to themed games that incorporate some of the world’s most iconic brands, and these titles will undoubtedly prove successful for our valued operator partners.”
“The first of many exciting releases in this collaboration, the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS slot will combine Hasbro’s world-building legacy with Games Global’s expertise, promising to deliver a game that engages, entertains, and transports players to new realms of fantasy”.
MGM and Fortune reunited in Macau to host the Fortune Brainstorm Design conference at MGM COTAI. This international forum, focusing on design and business, attracted over 300 top global designers and guests, including executives from Fortune 500 companies, to discuss cooperation and co-creation across various design-related topics.
Brainstorm Design was launched in 2018 and is now a leading international forum focusing on the intersection of design, business and technology. After MGM and Fortune successfully introduced this world-class event to China and debuted in Macau last year, the partnership has continued to thrive. This year, MGM and Fortune have joined forces once again to host the conference, shining a global spotlight on Macau.
With the theme of this year’s event, “Experiments in Experience,” participants delved into how design and design thinking can address some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, diversity, and inclusiveness. Brainstorm Design 2024 featured speakers such as Robert Brunner, one of the earliest and most influential industrial designers in Silicon Valley; Elizabeth Brink, co-CEO of the world’s largest architecture firm Gensler; and Peter Kindel, the design leader of the world-renowned architecture firm SOM.
The event also featured representatives from leading organizations such SAP, Beats by Dre, Universal Beijing Resort, Tom Dixon, General Mills, Beijing Automotive Group, BCG, Rockwell Group, Google Ventures, and United Health Group, among others.
Clay Chandler, Fortune Executive Editor for Asia and Brainstorm Design Editorial Chair said, “From emerging technologies to timeless storytelling techniques and innovations in smart design, Brainstorm Design 2024 celebrated the value of great design in business. In a world where narrative, culture and context play a crucial role in crafting timeless designs and fostering meaningful human connections, many firms are finding good design more important than ever.”
Macau is a city where design and creativity seamlessly intertwine with its rich cultural fabric. Boasting a profound historical heritage, it stands as a testament to the harmonious and earliest fusion of Eastern and Western civilizations. For centuries, diverse cultures have converged in Macau, this vibrant cultural exchange has given the city a distinctive design perspective, offering inspiration that bridges tradition and modernity.
In addition to the annual forum, a series of off-site tour programs were organized in the Barra District. As one of the historical areas in Macau, the Barra District has borne witness to the early cultural exchanges between the East and West. The district is rich with evidence of cultural integration, making it a living representation of Macau’s historical and cultural heritage.
A series of off-site tour programs were organized in the Barra District.
MGM and the Macau SAR Government have been spearheading a series of revitalization projects in the Barra District. These initiatives seamlessly combine revitalization with preservation, aiming to honor the area’s rich heritage while infusing it with modern design concepts. By leveraging its own cultural and tourism advantages, the project unveil the unique charm and significance of the area.
Industry leaders hosted a sharing session in the Barra District for guests of the Fortune Brainstorm Design conference, along with students and association members from Macau.
Catarina Lio, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM expressed, “We have incorporated ‘design’ as the core principle of the Barra District’s revitalization since we initiated the project 10 months ago, with the aim to deliver tangible solutions that address the community needs. With ‘life and energy’ as the key driving forces, we are committed to create spaces that prioritizes vibrancy, inclusivity, and focus on the well-being of family and pets. Our strong vision is to transform the Barra District into a neighbourhood for various types of gathering, as well as a place where bonds between friends and families can truly thrive.”
NOVOMATIC has announced its recertification by the renowned Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4), sending a clear signal that player protection is more than just a buzzword. This recertification is proof of NOVOMATIC’s ingrained sense of responsibility and deep commitment, which goes far beyond what is required by law.
Taking responsibility is in NOVOMATIC’s corporate DNA. Responsible gaming together with the associated player protection and prevention measures are therefore a top priority for the Group.
This is a fact demonstrated by the Group’s recertification in accordance with the recognized G4 standard issued by the Global Gambling Guidance Group. The award, created by experts in the field of responsible gaming, is internationally recognized as the most renowned and demanding standard for player protection.
As a pioneer and driving force in the area of player protection, NOVOMATIC has been committed to the G4 standard since 2019 and is one of the few gaming companies around the world to meet the demanding criteria of the independent audit. With certified locations in several core European markets – including Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands – NOVOMATIC is demonstrating its consistent global focus on responsible and sustainable gaming technologies.
Responsibility at the highest level
The fact that the G4 standard is subject to ongoing development means that it is necessary to seek recertification every three years. As one of the world’s leading gaming technology companies, NOVOMATIC rises to this challenge time and again with its full commitment and innovative solutions.
“This certification is proof of our pursuit of excellent and responsible entertainment. As a globally active technology supplier and operator of international casinos, the recertification is clear evidence of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and sustainable gaming experience,” emphasizes the Executive Board of the NOVOMATIC AG Group.
Ynze Remmers, G4 Lead Auditor, also adds, “NOVOMATIC AG, as a supplier to the industry, sets the bar for responsible gambling with cutting-edge biometric technology, robust player protection tools, and a commitment to global standards – driving player safety and innovation across the gaming industry.”
The G4 certification comprises over 100 criteria – from comprehensive internal guidelines to intensive employee training, transparent customer risk education and responsible marketing. NOVOMATIC is a pioneer in responsible entertainment, consistently integrating responsible gaming into its business strategy at the highest level. Having renewed its G4 certification, NOVOMATIC remains a driving force behind global player protection.
Hosted by Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A., with support from the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and co-organized by Sailing Up Sports, the ‘Wynn Presents – 2024 Macau Snooker Masters’ will be held at the Wynn Palace Grand Theater Ballroom from December 25 to 28.
Nine of the world’s best snooker players – Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ding Jun Hui, Marco Fu, Judd Trump, Jack Lisowski, Stuart Bingham, Jak Jones, Kyren Wilson, and Si Jia Hui – are all battling it out in Macao, giving visitors from around the world an opportunity to watch these famous snooker stars compete at the highest level in person.
This year’s Macau Snooker Masters will feature a new playing format. To ramp up excitement around the game, a “challenge match” will be conducted with “Wynn Brand Ambassador” Ronnie O’Sullivan, who will take on the world’s best players in the format Best-of-7 frames. Tickets are priced at: MOP 1,680/1,080/880/580 and are on sale now at the official ticketing website: https://bit.ly/4eYtdVu.
In support of the Macao SAR Government’s “1+4” moderate diversification development strategy, Wynn continues to bring high-quality events to Macao in an effort to expand international markets. By continuing to host the Macau Snooker Masters this year, Wynn hopes to attract even more high-profile, global sports events to Macau in future.
By hosting more major sporting events in Macao, local residents and visitors from around the world will have a chance to experience Macao’s unique sports events, the tourism and leisure sports industries can be developed in a collaborative way, and these events will boost Macao’s global image as a World Center of Tourism and Leisure.
A new study examining VIP players’ gaming motivations at Macau’s integrated resorts has found that the ‘awe experience’ significantly enhances the perception of gaming attractiveness.
The research concludes that ‘intrinsic gaming motivations, extrinsic recognition gaming motivations, and extrinsic integrated gaming motivations all significantly and positively influence the awe experience of gaming, with intrinsic motivations exerting the most substantial impact.’
Additionally, the study highlights the mediating role of the awe experience in connecting gaming motivations to the perception of gaming attractiveness.
Published in the latest edition of Macau Polytechnic University’s (MPU) Global Gaming & Tourism Research, the study is co-authored by Ji Chunli from the Center for Gaming and Tourism Studies, Zhang Songlin from the Business School of Shaoxing University, and Wong Waineng from Hizzard Public Health Technology.
The research team notes that gaming activities of casino players are likely influenced by a variety of motivations, rather than just one. While different motivations are at play, some may have a stronger impact than others. Moreover, these gaming motivations can lead to complex psychological states for the customers.
Scholars explain that ‘’some researchers view the experience of awe as a complex emotion, considering it a positive feeling. The awe experience is an emotional response triggered by massive perceptual stimuli, which may include elements of positive emotional states, as well as a reduction in self-awareness and a sense of meaning.
‘Up to now, there has been no consensus on the definition of the awe experience, but it is seen by some scholars as a peak, extraordinary, or optimal experience that dramatically influences the individual.’
Some psychological studies suggest that awe experiences can occur in many contexts. In this study, it is posited that regardless of the type of psychological motivation driving VIP players, their gaming activities at integrated resort casinos will trigger positive emotions due to the overall environment, atmosphere, and the exceptional services and experiences provided to them. This, in turn, induces a psychological state of awe.
The research team collected a total of 315 valid questionnaires from November 28th, 2023, to January 5th, 2024.
Study context
The research team considers the study of VIP players’ motivations to be still important, despite the significant decline in Macau’s VIP gaming revenue, which signals a transition to a “new normal” for the industry.
The research team indicates that, excluding revenue from premium mass baccarat, the share of Macau’s VIP baccarat gross gaming revenue (GGR) in total baccarat gross revenue dropped from 52.8 percent in 2019 to 29.4 percent in the first quarter of 2024. When premium mass baccarat revenue is included, this proportion increases, highlighting the continued importance of VIP players to Macau’s integrated resort casinos.
Meanwhile, scholars point out that as integrated resorts shift away from reliance on junkets to directly engage with premium and mid-tier players, gaming concessionaires must adopt new strategies.
‘These strategies include gaining a deeper understanding of these players, building more effective relationships, and maintaining strong connections to sustain competitive advantages.
‘VIP players should not be viewed as one-time patrons but as valuable, long-term contributors. Concessionaires need to establish enduring relationships with them, deriving greater value from their gaming activities. To achieve this, operators must understand how VIP players perceive gaming’s appeal and the psychological factors driving their participation.’
Management insights
The research team highlights several key insights for management. Given the importance of VIP customers in the gaming industry, businesses should implement targeted segmentation strategies to understand the unique needs of various market segments based on gaming motivations.
The study demonstrates that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations influence VIP customer behavior. Therefore, businesses should offer a balanced mix of gaming activities that appeal to intrinsic motivations, such as skill and strategy, as well as extrinsic incentives, like rewards and perks. This approach will help address the diverse motivations of different customer groups.
Furthermore, the positive impact of the ‘awe experience’ on the perceived attractiveness of gaming suggests that businesses should incorporate emotional marketing into their core strategies.
By creating awe-inspiring moments, businesses can significantly enhance customer engagement and loyalty. Offering extraordinary experiences—such as high-end entertainment, interactive activities, and unique gaming environments—can evoke a sense of awe and elevate the appeal of gaming.
Additionally, ‘designing activities and environments that trigger positive emotional reactions will improve the overall customer experience, leading to higher retention rates and positive word-of-mouth promotion.’
