• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Sport bets a way into online tech for land casinos: IGT exec

Oct 22, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Trends & Tech  


Sport bets a way into online tech for land casinos: IGT exec

An upturn in sports betting – including online as a result of the disruption to casinos caused by the Covid-19 pandemic – could be a “springboard” for greater adoption by casino regulators, of online technology in the sector, says Renato Ascoli (pictured).

The chief executive for global gaming at casino and lottery equipment supplier International Game Technology Plc (IGT) was speaking in an online interview with Frank Fantini, of Fantini Research, a gaming industry news provider and consultancy.

In-casino sports betting has been seen in some land-based markets in Asia, but not in Macau.

Mr Ascoli, who previously launched a sports betting operation in Italy, stated: “The experience from Europe – and I see this happening repeatedly in North America – is that this piece of the business is not cannibalising anything from land-based casinos. In fact it’s an opportunity for casinos to retain players, and increase the loyalty to their brands.”

The IGT executive noted that for his company during the pandemic, “anything we offer on the Internet has been skyrocketing so far. Even now that casinos are back to semi-normal operations, the digital space is going strong.”

He observed: “This is telling me… we are probably approaching a new player base… and that the [existing] player base is still enjoying playing on the Internet.”

Mr Ascoli, whose appointment was announced in July, worked previously as IGT’s CEO for North America.

In the United States, Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia, the company offers a business-to-business sports betting platform called IGT PlaySports.

In some gaming markets it also offers its CrystalBetting Terminal, providing a sportsbook that allows players to make in-play wagers during actual events.

The IGT executive also said the pandemic had led to increased interest among casino operators, in technology that could enable people to play traditional casino games such as slot machines, without handling cash.

IGT mentioned a number of its products in that cashless-technology field – including IGT Resort Wallet – in a recent announcement.

Mr Ascoli told Fantini Research that IGT had started investing in cashless-gaming product development in 2016.

The firm had since then been “adding feature after feature… persuading regulators that what we are providing was sound, and was actually improving the level of control, of [the] money – not creating additional ‘buckets’, or mysterious areas where regulators may have a level of concern.”


  • tweet
Related articles
  • IGT quarterly loss doubles sequentially 4Q as revenue dips
    IGT quarterly loss doubles sequentially...

    Mar 03, 2021  

  • 2021 board named for International Gaming Standards Assn
    2021 board named for International...

    Mar 02, 2021  

More news
  • Sands China to pay US$2.4mln tax re Gondola Ride: court
    Sands China to pay US$2.4mln tax re...

    Mar 04, 2021  

  • A fresh US$2-bln casino project proposed for Vietnam
    A fresh US$2-bln casino project...

    Mar 04, 2021  


Latest News

Sands China to pay US$2.4mln tax re Gondola Ride: court

Sands China to pay US$2.4mln tax re Gondola Ride: court

Mar 04, 2021  

Macau’s Court of Second Instance has upheld decisions by a public department in the city, ordering casino operator Sands China Ltd to pay a total of MOP18.9 million (US$2.4 million) in tourism tax...
Read More
A fresh US$2-bln casino project proposed for Vietnam

A fresh US$2-bln casino project proposed for Vietnam

Mar 04, 2021  

LVS plans to keep U.S. base, stock listing: spokesman

LVS plans to keep U.S. base, stock listing: spokesman

Mar 04, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

“Asia remains the backbone of this company and our developments in Macau and Singapore are the centre of our attention”

Robert Goldstein

Chairman and chief executive of casino operator Las Vegas Sands



Most Popular

  • Lim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock awardLim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock award March 2, 2021
  • Las Vegas Sands to sell off Nevada assets for US$6.25blnLas Vegas Sands to sell off Nevada assets for US$6.25bln March 3, 2021
  • Covid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entryCovid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entry March 2, 2021
  • Galaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel towerGalaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel tower March 1, 2021
  • Macau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govtMacau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govt March 1, 2021
Copyright 2014-2021 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us