gigse 2015 recap

GiGse 2015: Conference Takeaways

Created by Alana Levine

Targeting the millennial generation

Gaming across platforms

Social Casino

Sports-betting

Daily Fantasy Sports

Key topics:

Targeting the Millennial Generation“Rethinking game content, casino design and methods of delivery”

Key positions and trends:

“We’re trying to increase the entertainment value because we know that’s

what the demographic is interested in.” – David Chang, Gamblit Gaming

“Looking at digital trends is important. How do you engage with digital

content?” – David Chang, Gamblit Gaming

Facts and takeaways:

The millennial generation is different, but the desire to play casino games undoubtedly exists among millennials

Engagement is key when appealing to the millennial generation. The gambling aspect is important, but it’s the experience of ‘the win’ that will appeal to the player

Education of customers on content and fundamentals of product will lead to greater adoption and higher conversion rates

- @Traff_Gen of Traffic Generation

“We agree w/ @GamblitGaming’s David Chang: “Engagement is everything.” Excellent #GiGse15

Gaming Across Platforms“On-property/on-premises gaming across platforms”


“A way of detaching the game from the furniture. Once the game is free from

the furniture it can go anywhere ” – Charles Cogen, VP Mobile, IGT

“This is not just about adding a new device, it’s about changing the casino

floor. Visitors are becoming younger and younger; millennials are key” – David Wang, VP Marketing for Online Gaming, MGM Resorts


There is a need to merge gaming channels. There needs to be a crossover between when the player leaves the casino and is no longer able to play for real-money and when they go home to play with virtual money

Cross-platform marketing allows for dynamic content

The key is for players to develop a relationship with the brand

Social on-property can be easily implemented by land-based and tribal resorts

*courtesy of Scott Rigby

Gaming Across Platforms

Social Casino“Social casino as part of your player engagement and retention strategy”


“I don’t think that land based casinos in the US understand the opportunity that they have. There is an eco-system with a social product which allows for operators to make money by using it as a retention and marketing tool for content.” – Nicky Senyard, CEO of Income Access

Land-based casinos are hugely advantageous here. They have a brand, a site, a loyalty plan etc., which gives them an advantage over Facebook social network brands. Land-based casino brands just need to have a goal.


Social is a great engagement tool for customers when they leave a land-based casino property

20% uplift for casino patrons who played online with virtual currency. It is a meaningful currency, and roughly 40% are already online and playing in a social capacity

-@EwaBakun of Clarion Gaming

The more social is a feeder for land based casinos, the higher likelihood it will get regulated, PMathews @playstudios at #gigse15

Sports-betting“Understanding the evolving stance of sports leagues on the legalization of sports-betting”


“The NBA does not agree with the way New Jersey is going after sports-betting, and believes it should be dealt with in congress rather than in the courts.” – Dan Spillane, VP and Assistant General Council for the NBA

“While New Jersey is not necessarily going about it the best way, there are limited options. Little is being done in congress, and sports-betting is currently being run by offshore operations.– Raymond Lesniak, NJ State Senator


Senator Lesniak is of the belief that Nevada’s monopoly on sports-betting is unfair to New Jersey and Atlantic City

The NBA does not define themselves as being “pro-sport-betting”, but rather as “pro-transparency”. Corruption is a major concern for them, and they emphasize the importance of adequate monitoring

Many agree that daily fantasy sports will not take away from the success of sportsbetting, but will instead be complementary

- @IA_Legal of Income Access

Accountability and monitoring the keys to regulating sport-betting per @NBA Spillane. #gigse15

- @LSPReport of Legal Sports Report

No way DFS is going to go away. Sportbetting would be complementary- @akrejcik #gigse15

Fantasy Sports“Exploring the consumer appeal and long-term profitability of fantasy sports ”


Jason Robins, CEO of Draft Kings, does not see potential for DFS in brick and mortar. Seth Young, COO of Star Fantasy Leagues disagrees, and believes the opportunity does exist.

“There’s great legitimacy that Yahoo and Amaya want to get into the DFS market. At the same time, the level of scrutiny in the DFS market has increased because of it.”– Jason Robins, CEO of Draft Kings


On average, DFS players are 25-39 year old males

Daily Fantasy Sports is considered to be a game of skill. According to research conducted by Star Fantasy Leagues, skilled lineups won 69% of the time over unskilled lineups

Overlap is very high in UK for DFS and sports-betting

- @IA_Legal of Income Access

Robbins says that #DFA is a game dominated by skill. #gigse15

- @ppapoker of PokerPlayersAlliance

#gigse15 Seth Young @sethyoung COO Star Fantasy Leagues doesn’t mind losing $ on fantasy because its purpose is entertainment value

Fantasy Sports

*courtesy of numberFire

For more Information, please feel free to email me at [email protected]

A special thanks to all the amazing speakers, organizers and attendees at GiGse 2015!

gigse 2015 recap

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