INTERGAMINGi speaks to Tony Ure, head of e-gaming at the Isle of Man Department for Enterprise, about ICE, technology and jurisdictions
INTERGAMINGi: What changes have you noticed in the industry over the past year? TU: “One of the most notable changes to the industry I noticed during 2017 was the increase in mergers and acquisitions across the major operators. With increased regulation across all continents, businesses are looking to diversify their portfolios as they look for ways to grow. These mergers and acquisitions are often operators looking to complete their portfolio, save money, or both. “Innovation is a trend that may not necessarily be new to the industry, but continues to play an invaluable role in the development of e-gaming none the less. Continued growth in the usage of tablets and smart phones is helping the sector grow, with many operators seeing 50-60 per cent of their revenue coming from mobile targeted products and content. “I would also say that over the past year, increased regulation has encouraged more land-based operators to enter or diversify themselves in the digital space, a trend that was always going to be a natural process for an industry so reliant on innovation and technology.”
