Remote Online Slots emerge as hot topic during 2024 ASEAN Gaming Summit
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The morning of day 2 at the ASEAN Gaming Summit 2024 was dominated by the marriage between online and land-based gaming through the fast growing concept of remote online slots.
Two panels delved into the topic from different angles, investigating remote gaming opportunities and ways in which operators can deliver a land-based experience to online players. Remote Online Slots, where physical machines are brought online through the use of video feeds, are a fast-rising product type that is quickly being embraced by companies based in the Philippines and further afield.
In the Philippines, land-based operators such as Hotel Stotsenberg, led by CEO Evan Spytma, are looking to utilize their 25 percent permitted allocation of real-world slots to offer an online experience that would otherwise not really be in the DNA of a physical casino. Spytma is going further than just bringing his company online and is in the process of bringing together and linking up ten integrated resorts to create a tempting proposition for players.
Both panels agreed that PAGCOR’s move to reduce the cost of doing business in the Philippines was a step in the right direction and a clear sign that the regulator understands some of the challenges faced by the private sector. As PAGCOR goes online itself, the experts also shared their opinion that the agency will discover some of the challenges of operating online first hand, such as the agent based marketing system that can see a large percentage of profits being shared with third parties.
These experiences may impact future regulations as PAGCOR continues to battle illegal operators targeting the country with a stick and carrot approach. Next to creating a business friendly environment that makes operating illegally less attractive, a consolidated effort by all government agencies, including law enforcement like the NBI, was also seen as desirable.
In front of a full room at the Shangri La The Fort in Metro Manila, panelists shared insights into the current and potential future marketplace for remote online slots. Local slots have been seen to record profits of up to $450 or even more after taxes per machine per day, and the potential can be increased further by making remote slots available to an international audience. Cultural differences in game design and functions, as well as payments and various machine certificates were mentioned as challenges in this regard.
Over-all, the consensus on both panels was clear that remote online slots will be a key industry driver in coming years. Next to a lot of trial and error, large R&D investments will also take place and many companies are already investing heavily in this type of product. While the idea is not new, the recent pandemic has helped to push the technology forward and we will soon see large scale remote slot facilities with 10,000 or more machines running 24/7 and serving players from across the world. As this product type is classed under live casino in many respects, it can also be operated under existing legislation in many jurisdictions, such as a B2B license in the Isle of Man.
