Before her speech at the upcoming SBC Summit in Lisbon, BET99 casino director Laura Petrauska was interviewed by CasinoBeats.
Petrauska emphasized her belief that player trends will remain authentic and why AI can continue to accelerate its evolution into the mainstream.
CB: What strategies must operators adopt to ensure they offer a balanced online casino product?
LP: That's a good question. I think the term "balanced" is crucial here. In today's competitive online gambling market, how do you provide sustainable entertainment? From an operator's perspective, we offer a variety of casino content, allowing players to find content that suits their preferences.
From high volatility slots with bonus buy features to medium variance games, crash games, and live dealer casino games, our game selection meets the needs of modern players.
Of course, when talking about sustainability, one cannot ignore responsible gambling. At BET99, responsible gambling is crucial, and we provide players with responsible gambling tools and information about local support resources.
CB: We have learned about the changes in player preferences over the past year, what changes do you think will occur in player preferences in the next 12 months?
LP: I believe player preferences will continue to align with the current trends we see in the gaming field. First, I believe players will continue to look for slots with high volatility and large winning multipliers. I would even add that this trend is not limited to slots—this is why live dealer games like Xxxtreme Lightning Roulette and Crazy Time have always been among the players' favorites.
Meanwhile, with so many slot options available, players often feel overwhelmed. This is why many players stick to the slots they are familiar with, where classic games like Book of Dead, Starburst, and Gates of Olympus dominate. Moreover, crash games have become very popular, which is no secret, and I expect this trend to further develop.
"The market is flooded with overly simplistic slots"
Laura Petrauska, BET99 Casino DirectorCB: Before last year's event, you mentioned that artificial intelligence is the next technological step that could sweep the entire online casino industry. How do you view the impact of artificial intelligence on the igaming field increasing in 2024?
LP: I can confidently say that artificial intelligence has become a part of our daily lives, and its potential is limitless. Speaking of online gaming, if used properly, artificial intelligence can be an incredible resource. For example, using virtual customer assistants to reduce customer wait times in live chat.
Furthermore, AI-generated casino lobbies can customize casino content not only based on specific markets but also based on individual preferences. These two areas are where I have seen the greatest impact of artificial intelligence in the gaming field. I believe AI will continue to play a significant role in automating data-driven tasks, helping casino operators with daily operations, while allowing them to focus human resources in other areas. However, in my view, casino products—whether we're talking about slots, table games, or live casino games—are works of art, and I hope they will never be replaced by artificial intelligence.
CB: As an operator, would you like to see slots with novel innovative features or slots with more straightforward gameplay, and how do these affect player retention?
LP: I believe everything in life should be balanced. As someone who has witnessed the development of the gaming industry over the past decade, I always look forward to seeing what new concepts and innovations game studios can bring to games. However, there is a limit to games, and overly complex features can diminish the real appeal of the game. Ultimately, our players play slots for entertainment, and reading page after page of game rules can take away from this enjoyment.
Nevertheless, in my view, the market is flooded with overly simplistic slots, which do not leave much excitement for players. As operators, we are looking for the right balance in products - slots that have engaging features while not having overly complex mechanics.
CB: Can you tell us what you are looking forward to? Why is the SBC Summit in Lisbon such an important event on the calendar?
LP: I must be honest—I am very excited about this year's event in Lisbon for several reasons. I have attended several SBC Summits, and my experiences have been very enjoyable. Such events give me the opportunity to meet my igaming colleagues and partners, which is also a great opportunity to create new synergies. Another reason I really like the SBC Summit is the different panels led by other industry experts. It is a great way to gain new knowledge and delve into various exciting igaming topics. Moreover, with SBC moving to Lisbon, I think it provides a great opportunity for Lisbon to become another igaming hub.
