With the Asian online gambling market projected to reach €10.88 billion in 2024, according to Statista’s forecasts, growth opportunities in the region are undeniable. However, at the same time, the Asian landscape is a complex one, featuring varying degrees of gambling adoption and legalization.

“For our team, working in the Asian iGaming market is both a great challenge and a new opportunity,” Ataur Rosul Abeer, Senior Sales Manager at Slotegrator, tells Yogonet. “As an ambitious company, we couldn’t be more excited!”

In this interview, Abeer offers insights into regulation and customer preferences in Asia, discusses which markets offer the most potential, and explains why Slotegrator is well-positioned to tap into the anticipated growth of iGaming in the region.

The Asian gaming market has been singled out for its sheer size and tremendous potential. What are your general expectations for its development? Where do you see it headed in the near future?

The Asian iGaming market is complex and fascinating. 

Regulations here are some of the most rigorous. Trying to satisfy them all might feel like taking a stress test, but beyond these challenges lies a great opportunity to launch a successful business in a very high-value environment.

The Slotegrator team is closely monitoring the Philippine market. We’re going to participate in events where we can take a closer look at the situation on the ground. It is an exciting opportunity not only to dive into the Philippine market but also to forge new links with industry figures from all across Asia. 

What about our company’s experience in Asia so far? At the start of the year, we were happy to present our partnership with innovative iGaming studio Nextspin, which now has access to a head-spinning number of games via APIgrator.

Also, as we’re interested in the Indian market. We recently announced a new deal with online casino and sportsbook Betnwin, which now has access to unlimited gaming content with our APIgrator solution as well.

We are also developing partnerships in Turkey, Singapore, Georgia, Armenia, and the United Arab Emirates, and in May 2024, we announced our new partnership with SA Gaming, a game studio with many years of experience in developing games specifically aimed at the Asian market. 

For our team, working in the Asian iGaming market is both a great challenge and a new opportunity. As an ambitious company, we couldn’t be more excited!

In a recent press release, the company highlighted that “live games are one of the keys to success in Asia.” Why is that the case, and which live casino titles do Asian customers favor? Which other game categories are popular among the local audience?

Yes, we talked about this when we announced our partnership with Indian online casino and sportsbook Betnwin. Asian players respond really positively to live games. 
Why are live games so popular and successful in Asia? There are some reasons:

Social engagement: Many Asian players value social interactions and communal activities. Live games, especially live casino games, replicate the social atmosphere of physical casinos, allowing players to interact with dealers and other players in real-time.

Trust and transparency: Live dealer games provide a higher level of transparency than RNG games do in Asian players’ eyes.

Technological advancement: High-speed internet and the widespread use of mobile devices in Asia facilitate seamless streaming of live games.

Culture: In many parts of Asia, gambling has deep cultural roots. In a few of them, some forms of gambling are even a part of local traditions. 

When it comes to specific preferences, Asian players enjoy live versions of all the classic casino games you could think of, like blackjack and roulette, as well as region-specific games like Dragon Tiger, Teen Patti, or Sic Bo. 

Following on from the second question, what are the key features of how the Asian audience engages with iGaming, in terms of preferences, gaming habits, chosen payment methods, etc.?

As I mentioned before, socialization is huge for Asian audiences, so players really appreciate social and interactive features like live chat, multiplayer modes, and community events. Also, localization is a must; Asian players look for games that fit their cultural context when it comes to issues like language options, themes, and cultural events. Games that aren’t properly localized simply won’t perform as well as those that are.

Platforms always need to have their players’ preferred payment methods. In Asian markets, the list includes cryptocurrencies (which are massive), bank transfers, e-wallets, and mobile payments. Neglect them at your peril. 

It is anticipated that total revenue in Asia’s online gambling market will reach €10.88 billion in 2024, according to Statista. How is Slotegrator prepared to tap into this growth opportunity? In which ways can the company help its partners navigate this market?

Slotegrator is well-positioned to tap into the anticipated growth of Asia’s online gambling market. 

Our flagship iGaming solutions are comprehensive tools for entering and conquering this (or any other) market: our turnkey online casino solution is fully customizable, making it easy to meet the specific needs and preferences of the Asian market. You can customize the casino front end at will with the Casino Builder module, and choose from a variety of payment methods to suit your players’ needs. 

Our APIgrator solution provides seamless API integration services, allowing operators to quickly and efficiently integrate a vast portfolio of games from multiple providers into their platforms. This ensures a diverse and engaging gaming experience that is highly valued by Asian players.
 
Of the individual markets that make up the Asian iGaming sector, which ones do you recommend keeping a close eye on? While some have embraced iGaming, in others, such as China, gambling remains illegal for the most part. Are there any major trends you are observing at the moment, in terms of regulation and openness to gambling?

While the regulatory landscape in Asia varies widely, we recommend keeping a close eye on the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and India. The results of our internal research are in line with the opinions of a large number of experts – these markets are recognized as the most promising, but it is very important to keep abreast of developments in the regulatory environment.

The overall trend in Asia points towards gradual liberalization, responsible gambling initiatives, and the integration of advanced technologies to ensure compliance and enhance the user experience. These developments indicate a dynamic future for the Asian iGaming market, with significant opportunities for operators who can navigate the complex regulatory landscape effectively.