According to the Ampersand Bellwether report, more than three-quarters of gaming executives are confident about their future. However, they expect land-based gambling to decrease in 2021.
This report was completed by 106 respondents to a survey conducted online. This was the fifth report of its kind, the second one since the outbreak.
Results showed that there was a high degree of optimism regarding the future of Online Casino. A majority, 70% of the respondents, predicted that this vertical would grow substantially over the next year. Another 26% projected a slight growth, and only 2% expected a decline.
The results for land-based casinos were more mixed. 42% predicted a significant decline, 8% a slight decline, and 31% hoped to see growth.
In terms of their own business, 77% were very optimistic. 17% also said that they are quite optimistic. Only 5% of respondents were pessimistic. Of those, only 1% are very pessimistic.
Online and mobile gaming as well as esports, and emerging markets like Latin America, Africa, and the USA were the most popular answers when asked what the greatest opportunities are in the gaming sector.
Covid-19 is seen as the greatest threat, while regulation comes in at second.
New markets and regulation were also viewed as being the two most important trends or developments for the industry.
The importance of new and emerging markets has declined compared with previous surveys. This is also true for negative perceptions about the industry.
The respondents were asked to choose an area of technology they would invest $500,000 in. Artificial intelligence was the most popular response, followed by cashless solutions and mobile platforms, then payments.
Land-based operators and suppliers, as well as regulators were mentioned when asked which organisations or companies had an impact on the business. However, no one answer was given by a significant number of respondents.
In terms of organisations and types of companies that had negative impacts, the regulators, government, unlicensed gaming businesses, and gambling business were all mentioned.
The most popular answer was that respondents aspired to have their company be as successful as British betting giant Bet365. Entain Playtech, and IGT were also mentioned. Respondents said that they wanted their business to look like the tech giants Amazon Tesla Google Apple Netflix and Apple.
Ampersand members say they use news websites, phone calls to suppliers, and calls to colleagues to find out about the latest developments. But when the society returns to its normal state, live events will be their main source of information.
The majority (39%) of the respondents were either involved in casino betting or sports betting (29% respectively). The majority of respondents are either C-level executives or partners, managing directors, or business owners. Europe and North America is the most popular location.
The Ampersand Bellwether Report can be read in its entirety here.
