Spectrum Gaming Group identifies top ten trends for 2018

Tuesday 28th of November 2017

Spectrum Gaming Group, an independent research and professional services firm says it predicts 2018 to be the most significant, with political, technological, demographic and regulatory changes expected for gaming markets around the world.

Spectrum, together with its sister companies, Spectrum Asia, based in Bangkok, and Spectrum Gaming Capital, based in New York City, has compiled a list of top ten trends expected in 2018.

According to Spectrum, in the United States, more states and tribes will look for ways to legalize sports betting as well as igaming. For US states that have legal casinos, operators in those areas will likely attempt various means to plug budget deficits, including the addition of retail gaming, i.e., electronic gaming devices in liquor-licensed establishments and truck stops, it said.

In Japan, casino gaming is expected to be legalized in 2018, Spectrum says a battle is then anticipated over the following one to two years between international operators and domestic corporations for one of the three expected licenses.

In Macau, while new properties are set to open in 2018, there will still be challenges ahead as a result of the continued crackdown on corruption in China. Macau as a gaming market, has however, generated stronger GGR across the board, clocking 15 percent year-on-year growth in the first half of 2017, it added.

At the same time, a wave of new property openings in Macau, South Korea, Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam will also be observed in 2018.

Spectrum however noted that it does not foresee that the broader regional gaming market will become oversaturated as a result of these changes.

Over in Brazil, up to 35 casinos could be authorized under new legislation, with gaming operators looking to capitalize on new legislation.

In Europe, online gaming will come under greater compliance pressure, said Spectrum, leading to further consolidation of operation and supply, while affiliate marketing will endure greater scrutiny.

In emerging markets such as Africa, Asia and parts of Europe, countries will look to the integrated-resort model as a means of growing their tourism industries and generating tax revenue.

Finally, looking at global trends, Spectrum says that skill based gaming will ramp up in 2018, with new product offerings from both the traditional equipment suppliers and skill-based leaders Gamblit and GameCo.

Spectrum also added that casino operator Caesars Entertainment, which emerged from bankruptcy this year, will become a renewed force in global gaming expansion and consolidation.

Spectrum Gaming Group is an independent, full-service global gaming research and professional services firm serving private- and public-sector clients on five continents.

These trends and other issues will be discussed at the Winter Meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), January 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami.

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