VGW Appoints Former Entain Executive to Boost Live Casino Offerings

Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), the leading operator in the sweepstakes casino space, has made a significant move to strengthen its live casino capabilities by appointing Graciella Anthony, formerly of Entain, as its new Head of Live Casino. This strategic hire signals VGW’s intention to expand its live gaming options, further solidifying its position in the competitive sweepstakes and social casino sector.

Graciella Anthony s VGW

Graciella Anthony, who previously served as the Global Head of Live and Table Games at Entain, brings a wealth of expertise to VGW. In her role at Entain, Anthony was known for addressing the evolving needs of players in the live gaming market. Speaking at the SBC Summit in Barcelona last year, Anthony discussed a key gap in the live gaming industry, highlighting the need for games catering to players with shorter attention spans. She stated, “The gap I see at the moment is that you’ve got customers who just want digital snacking, where they’re in for seven seconds, and we don’t have products in the live space where players can come in waiting for the bus and they just want to be able to dip in and out.”

Anthony also emphasized the potential of game shows in the live casino environment, describing them as a “gateway into live casino” for recreational players and slot enthusiasts. She believes these game shows have a broad appeal, attracting a wider audience beyond traditional live casino games like blackjack or roulette.

VGW’s Position in the Market

VGW operates several prominent sweepstakes-based social casinos, including LuckyLand Slots, Chumba Casino, and Global Poker. These platforms offer an alternative to real-money gambling by using virtual currency, allowing players to participate in games for a chance to win cash prizes under U.S. sweepstakes laws. With the addition of Anthony, VGW seems poised to introduce live dealer games to its platforms, a move that could enhance its competitiveness in the ever-growing sweepstakes casino market.

Currently, VGW’s social casinos do not offer live dealer games. However, Anthony’s appointment strongly suggests that this may change soon, as her background at Entain makes her well-suited to lead such an initiative. Entain, a global gaming giant that operates brands like Bwin, Ladbrokes, and Party Poker, has been a major player in the live casino space. Anthony’s experience there is expected to play a crucial role in VGW’s expansion into live gaming, especially as demand for these games continues to rise.

Live Dealer Games and the Social Casino Space

High 5 Casino and Chanced, have also embraced live dealer offerings to cater to player preferences.

The appeal of live dealer games lies in their ability to provide players with unique, interactive experiences that go beyond traditional table games. In particular, live dealer game shows have gained traction in the U.S. market. Internationally, these game shows have become a major draw, with games like Crazy Time and Crazy Coin Flip emerging as top performers in of player volume. According to Evolution’s Chief Product Officer, Todd Haushalter, these games have sured traditional offerings like blackjack in popularity.

VGW’s Future with Live Casino

Anthony’s appointment suggests that VGW is preparing to follow suit by introducing similar live dealer games to its platforms. This could include popular game shows that offer an entertaining and immersive experience for players. VGW’s competitors in the social casino space, such as Hello Millions and Ding Ding Ding, have already incorporated live game shows into their platforms, demonstrating the growing appeal of these formats.

As VGW continues to develop its live casino offerings, the company is also navigating challenges in the sweepstakes casino industry. VGW’s founder, Laurence Escalante, has been vocal in defending the regulatory framework around sweepstakes casinos, countering criticism from the American Gaming Association (AGA). The AGA has raised concerns about the “dual-currency” system used by sweepstakes casinos, arguing that it could lead to regulatory loopholes and illegal activities. Escalante, however, maintains that VGW’s financial crime controls are “best in class,” ensuring that the company operates within the legal parameters of the industry.

Source:

VGW snaps up former Entain Head of Live Casino, casinobeats.com, September 18, 2024.