The casino industry has enjoyed good growth in recent years for a variety of reasons. One of the most central, and the focus of this guide, is its partnerships with mobile gaming firms.
As mobile technology and data networks have improved, it has opened the door for some developers and gaming companies to produce mobile products. This has drawn the attention of betting companies. Nowadays, you can find scores of partnerships being forged on everything from creating new games to introducing new payment methods.
Below, we look at some of the success stories that have come from these partnerships. We also look at what the future could hold, with exciting advancements being made in mobile gaming that could ripple through other industries.
How do mobile gaming and betting companies collaborate?
Mobile gaming firms have collaborated with casinos for many years. Since mobile phones became powerful enough to run apps, casinos have sought to extend their online offering from desktop computers to mobile phones. Playing on the go has become a huge part of the industry, as 20 years ago you needed to be sat at a desktop to play, and that’s even before mentioning how hard it was to get a fast and stable internet connection.
To achieve this, they’ve had to work with mobile companies to produce games, apps to play those games on, and systems through which they can take secure payments.
This has enabled online casinos to grow and attract new customers. In the US alone, the online market is set to grow by an average of 11.7% year on year until 2030.
Let’s take a look at some of these collaborations in more detail.
The best mobile gaming and casino industry partnerships
Below, you can find first-hand examples of collaborations between mobile gaming firms and casinos.
Konami
Many gaming fans will recognize the Japanese company Konami as a maker of some of the most popular console games ever – Pro Evolution Soccer, Silent Hill, and the Metal Gear franchise.
However, Konami also works in collaboration with casino firms to create and develop games. It also owns several casinos.
Konami has, over the years, produced some of the most popular slot machine games, and in recent years has collaborated with other firms to produce a revolutionary casino experience that uses secure identity management systems and enhanced harm minimization technology, powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
The developer has also created a casino management system that helps organizations run their businesses and games. Called Synkros, it’s designed to use the best and most advanced technology to engage better with seasoned players and first-time customers to provide an improved experience overall.
In all, Konami’s collaborative efforts have made them one of the most successful firms in the industry.
Gaming Realms
In September 2023, it was announced that mobile games provider Gaming Realms had signed a major deal with a leading international casino.
The deal saw Gaming Realms’ existing content transferred to the casino, with games such as Slingo Rainbow Riches and Deal or No Deal Slingo shifting to a new home.
The move was seen by many as a shrewd one for Gaming Realms as it seeks to capitalize on growing markets. And the gaming firm isn’t stopping there – it’s also making moves to secure deals in other countries, such as Denmark and Spain so that it can expand further.
What does the future hold?
As mobile technology evolves at a rapid pace, it’s no surprise to see more partnerships forged with the casino industry.
As discussed above, developers like Konami are already utilizing the latest and most cutting-edge technology, such as AI, to improve player protection.
In terms of gaming, some mobile developers have begun to test the waters with new versions of classic games, such as virtual reality (VR) iterations. These games involve players entering a virtual casino world that they can explore and find, for example, a slot machine to play on.
It leaves you wondering how casinos will expand upon this – perhaps to the likes of live poker or roulette tables that offer players a 360-degree virtual experience.
The lure of expanding markets such as the US could also encourage other mobile gaming firms to branch out or pivot toward the casino market.
This could promote even further developments and a whole new array of games and experiences.