Happy Ape

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Alongside the online success, Sun International’s land-based casinos segment returned to growth for the first time in three years.

Revenue from land-based casinos edged up 1.5% to R3.42 billion, with Sun International’s share of the market rising 2.3% to 49%.

Sun International attributed the land-based growth to investments in product and marketing, with land-based casino GGR growing 4.4%. The company launched 876 new slot machines and stadium games during the period.

About Happy Ape

Variations in the estate seem to largely be down to the size of the property rather than assumptions about customers. In some of the larger casinos, players can enjoy Interblock’s brilliant Stadium setup, where slots and table games combine with a live presenter for an energetic, effervescent casino floor.

Holland Casino calls this Next Zone, and as Petra elaborates: “It’s an innovation we made a few years ago to see how we can develop a casino product because I think in the industry, we are very well known for what we have, but how do you innovate?”

Like most operators, slots make up the bulk of Holland Casino’s income, but it’s worth remembering that Holland Casino has a monopoly on table games, poker and bingo. “I would say those are also our hero products that make us attractive because in the Netherlands we are the only one offering land based live table games,” says Petra.

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“There are significant checks on individuals and businesses before a licence is granted,” he says. “The UK Gambling Commission has set out what it expects. If you want a licence in the UK, you need to meet those expectations.”

Bentley believes regulated operators are genuinely trying to do the right thing but says some mistakes could be mitigated through better automation and continuous monitoring. Enforcement statements also provide lessons that businesses should use to test their own exposure.

“It would be crazy to say that these cases are positive for the industry,” he says. “They will no doubt continue, but as an industry we need to try to reduce their frequency.”