Spectrum Gaming Group pinpoints industry trends for 2018

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Spectrum Gaming Group, an independent research and professional services firm serving public- and private-sector clients worldwide, has developed its 14th annual list of Most Important Trends that the global gaming industry needs to monitor in 2018.

"Of all the years that Spectrum has been tracking trends, 2018 should prove to be the most significant as political, technological, demographic and regulatory changes converge in markets around the world," said Spectrum Managing Director Michael Pollock.

Spectrum, together with its sister companies, Spectrum Asia, based in Bangkok, and Spectrum Gaming Capital, based in New York City, tracks these and other trends on a regular basis. To view previous lists, visit the website.

Top 10 trends for 2018 (in order of prominence):

• Through legislative and/or judicial action, more states and tribes across the U.S. will look for ways to legalize sports betting, as well as iGaming, while political struggles will ensue between those who seek federal oversight of sports betting versus those who seek to keep all forms of gaming within the purview of state and tribal governments.
• After a decade of debate and missed opportunity, casino gaming in Japan is expected to be legalized in 2018. 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.
• As forecast by Spectrum last year, Macau has generated much stronger GGR across the board ($16.7 billion, or 15% growth YOY through the first half of 2017). However, as the crackdown on corruption in China continues into its sixth year and new property openings are scheduled for 2018, there are still challenges ahead for the market.
• Gaming operators will focus on legalization opportunities in the critical jurisdiction of Brazil, as up to 35 casinos could be authorized under new legislation.
• Skill-based gaming will ramp up, with new product offerings from both the traditional equipment suppliers and skill-based leaders Gamblit and GameCo.
• U.S. states that already legalized casinos will 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.
• Online gaming in Europe will come under greater compliance pressure, leading to further consolidation of operation and supply, while affiliate marketing will endure greater scrutiny.
• A second major wave of new property openings (from small-scale to full integrated resorts) is expected in Asia (most notably Macau, South Korea, Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam) in 2018. Spectrum does not foresee that the broader regional gaming market will become oversaturated as a result of these changes.
• Emerging markets in Africa, Asia and parts of Europe will look to the integrated-resort model as a means of growing their tourism industries and generating tax revenue.
• With its emergence from bankruptcy, Caesars Entertainment will become a renewed force in global gaming expansion and consolidation.

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