Supplier Suplement: Awaiting for Regulation in the US

Another week, another chance to check out The Supplier’s Supplement by SBC Media, a segment that will go through the top industry suppliers insights on a weekly basis. SBC Media’s Craig Davies, Charlie Horner and Fernando Noodt will walk through the quotes, highlight the stories that matter most and offer thoughts on how supplier voices are contributing to some of iGaming’s biggest talking points.

While British Chancellor Rachel Reeves has taken over gaming media headlines after remote gaming duty was increased to 40%, there’s still plenty going on all around the world.

As multiple global markets continue to gain momentum, the industry keeps a close look into US markets, with many companies either fighting to position themselves across the country, or trying to maintain their leading status.

Cracking the US Code

You can’t talk about the US without going into the sweepstakes conversation, and Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer, at NuxGame, made some promising remarks for a heavily criticised segment.

He said: “Sweepstakes is on its way to becoming a fully accepted, mainstream business model, but only for those who opt for the right strategy.”  

However, he called for fair rules, clear taxes, and verified compliance, to steer sweepstakes from the misuse (and mistrust) road they are going through right now.

A competitive challenge

American markets have the potential to become a big business opportunity for the industry, but some still need to go through the regulation stage. IGT PlaySport’s Director of Sales, Zee Khan, forecasts that, while there’s always gambling bills being “tossed around,” the market will get its proper framework across the country.

“At the end of the day, there will be new legislation at some point. It’s just a matter of how soon it happens.”

And while lawmakers still debate whether they want regulated gambling in their states, the only beneficiary is the black market, as described by Amelco Business Development Manager Brandon Walker.

He warned: “These jurisdictions are haemorrhaging potential tax revenue into the black market while the legislative wheels turn too slowly. We need policymakers to understand that this is not just about gambling; it’s about consumer protection and massive economic uplift.”

Walker also branded “regulatory inertia” as the biggest hurdle for the US right now.

“That needs to change. The continued failure to legalise iGaming in states that have already embraced sports betting is, frankly, an indefensible missed opportunity.”

Fernando says: Gaming markets in the US are already thriving, but also have the potential to become much more lucrative for all stakeholders. In time, lawmakers from lagging states will see how the current scenario only favours the black market, identify the funding opportunity in regulating iGaming and its legalisation will come through. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

Innovation Corner

It’s not easy to stand out in the iGaming space, which is why companies need to get creative and pull exciting new options and opportunities.

That’s exactly what some companies have highlighted across this past week, while some are actually putting the scope on where a specific segment needs to go to maintain its edge.

In Quixant’s case, Eddie Ho, Director of Gaming Hardware, describes how the company identified a series of struggles OEMs and game developers were facing, and came up with IQON 3.

The powerful solution has ready-integrated hardware and software, aims to minimise investment, and allows partners to focus on content and their points of difference.

“The IQON 3 is able to address both current competitiveness and future-readiness in a number of critical ways,” Eddie Ho said.

On the iGaming front, slot games are often quite similar from one another, which is why Kalamba Games launched 3×3 reel games.

Lead Game Producer Piotr Simon explains how the search for a more predominant fast-paced experience motivated this new, small grid format.

He said: “These games target a specific audience that values fast-paced action and straightforward gameplay, including a classic approach to bonus rounds. It’s about accessibility without sacrificing engagement.”

Meanwhile, Signicat takes a holistic customer approach to allow operators meet compliance obligations, prevent fraud, and promote safer play, without neglecting UX.

And speaking of evolution, Oren Cohen Shwartz, CEO of Delasport, took a deep dive on the current situation of sportsbooks worldwide. He explained how they need to evolve beyond pure functionality, and become as engaging as casinos.

He noted: “The contrast between sportsbook and casino reveals a crucial truth: innovation doesn’t always belong to the most sophisticated systems. It belongs to those that dare to make people feel something.”

If you have reached this point, thank you very much for reading The Supplier’s Supplement. Be sure to check it out once again next Friday to stay up to date about the industry’s biggest providers, their moves, and hottest takes. Catch you in the next one!

There are more insights from key industry providers! Make sure you check out these, featuring the likes of bwise Media, Fidel Partners, SlotMatrix, DIMOCO, Bragg Gaming, Soft2Bet, FIRST, and Upgaming.