Lena Yasir, vice-president at Pragmatic Play, talks to CasinoBeats about how live casino can play an even more important role for operators in the near future and what is next for the multi-product supplier.
CB: With casinos across the world continuing to remain closed, how can live casino products replicate the land-based betting experience?
Lena Yasir: With players across the world unable to enter land-based casinos, it is important they can still enjoy a social casino experience. While there are elements of brick and mortar casinos that are impossible to replicate virtually, through technology we are able to make large strides to make a similar environment for players.
Immersive camera angles, professionally trained dealers and even the opportunity to pick your seat at the table are just some of the steps we take to ensure that the experience remains as recognisable and familiar as possible to players.
CB: Pragmatic Play continues to develop new titles in the live casino space. Does the consistent growth of your portfolio help with acquisition of new live casino customers?
LY: Creating and developing across the live casino vertical has been exciting for us, especially at the rate we have grown. While it has been important to have traditional games like blackjack and roulette, expanding our offering has been integral in attracting both players and operators. As more games are added, players who are familiar with our existing live products, or titles from our other verticals, such as slots or bingo, can approach them knowing they will get an immersive Pragmatic Play igaming experience.
For operators, the benefits are equally valuable. Through our single API integration, products can be easily accessed and rolled out to players in territories across the globe.
With different markets having different tastes and preferences, the wider our product range the larger the scope for acquisition of customers. Some players may like roulette, whereas others may only enjoy baccarat. Through our growing portfolio, players can find anything that fits their taste.
CB: It can be difficult to add innovation into the live casino sphere. What steps does Pragmatic Play take to transform the experience for players?
LY: As a vertical, there is a fine line between keeping products recognisable for players and creating experiences that cannot be replicated. For us, we approach product development from a number of angles. Having high-quality technology, such as 4K cameras, high-definition sound and immersive camera angles allows players to feel closer to the action than ever before.
We also look at ways of creating alternative experiences. With speed versions of classics such as roulette or blackjack, and our recent release Mega Sic Bo, we have taken a thrilling staple and added innovative features and betting modes to it to appeal to a wider demographic of players than ever before.
There are even simpler ways for us to add innovation for players. By creating localised products, with language-dedicated dealers, specifically crafted studios and settings, we can transform a standard betting experience into a personalised one for players all across the globe.
CB: What is next for Pragmatic Play’s live casino offering?
LY: We will continue to grow our live casino product range with both traditional titles and unique, exciting innovations. Our Mega Sic Bo title, saw the addition of random ‘Mega Multipliers’ of up to 1,000x, while we also have more titles in the works which will add thrilling new levels of excitement to our live casino portfolio.
Later this year, we will launch unique-in-the-market game shows. The first one will be Mega Wheel, a fun-filled live casino game of chance, inspired by the ever-popular Big 6 or Money Wheels. The game has the simplest rules and it is hosted by specially trained presenters. Players will get the real feel of TV game shows, getting fully engaged in the experience.
Our teams work tirelessly to create exciting, immersive experiences across all our verticals and live casino has been a particular success story as we branch into an exciting world, delivering casino classics to devices all over the world.
