Fernando Van Velzen, Head of Account Management, brings BeTragapperas up to speed on the Betsoft portfolio, new game releases for 2024 and what else players can look forward to from one of the most exciting slot providers in the industry.
Could you introduce yourself and tell us about Betsoft and your role there?
Hola and thank you for this opportunity to talk about Betsoft and the great new products and slots we have primed.
About Betsoft
Betsoft is one of the leading casino entertainment providers in the industry for innovative and immersive games with big win potential. We’ve been in the business since 2006: every year our goal is to exceed and excel on the previous one and that mindset is what makes us successful.
Account Management and Clients
My role at Betsoft is twofold: as Head of Account Management I have a team of AMs with substantial client portfolios reporting to me. I provide guidance, support and mentoring so that our customer service levels are always best in class. This ensures we retain and expand our existing customers’ exposure to the Betsoft product portfolio. Additionally, I support the team with new business development initiatives to increase the value of their client portfolios.
Secondly, we make sure that working with us is mutually beneficial; so I am responsible for the success of my AMs in delivering and tracking profitable growth for operators through NPD, promotions, marketing initiatives and events.
Every client is different so each contract is unique but, by always working closely together, we deliver the gaming experiences players want, thus creating win/win/win scenarios.
Can you tell us how Betsoft developed into a leading casino game development business and any important milestones?
Success has come from a mix of business acumen and creative and innovative engineers, designers, marketeers and AMs who constantly say – ‘what’s next and how do we make it even better.’
Milestones
We have never taken anything for granted and that’s why we were among the first to market with amazing 3D graphics in our slots; one of the first to offer HTML5 slots; and one of the original providers to deliver a mobile first mindset across all our products. We continue to push boundaries to ensure we always deliver the ultimate in quality RNG slots, immersive themes, gamification and promotions.
Our Slots
Every game we release is designed, tested and re tested. Betsoft slots work across theme, genre, feature and RTP. Whatever motivates players to spin the reels, there will be something special in our portfolio.
Recently we introduced a new jackpot mechanism to several releases including Rags to Witches™, Sleighin’ It™ and Hearts Desire™. Progressive jackpots bring the big wins alongside smooth play and great graphics and many of the jackpots are linked across other games for even bigger win potential.
We are known for our series of slots whereby we take a feature or mechanic and make that the signature of the gameplay but with a new story wrapped round. For example, the ‘Take’ games play out on a ten or seven spin cycle with a counter designed into the games but across a huge variety of theme from bank robbers to Greek gods.
When we release a sequel, such as Mr. Vegas 2™ in 2023 (Mr. Vegas™ 2012) or Alkemor’s Elements™ in 2022 (Alkemor’s Tower™ 2016), we ensure that we keep the full style and entertainment value but massively ramp up features, improve the mechanics, revise the maths and enhance the player experience.
In Game Tools for Gamification
It’s not just about the slots though. We launched our in-game tools Take the Prize™ and Tournament a few years ago to really ramp up player wins and immersive gaming experiences, including on mobile.
Take the Prize™ offers surprise wins or prizes without interrupting game play or affecting the RTP. Tournament appeals to the more high-risk players as it brings a new dimension to immersive play through boosting promotions with real-time gamification for substantial win opportunities.
These tools have massively impacted our promotions, especially our network promos. Participation has reached 400 operators using both tools. The player KPIs we saw across the board were amazing and speak for themselves.
Which operators do you work with and where? What does this mean for players?
Global Brand Exposure
We work across country and jurisdiction with licenced operators in regulated markets. Additionally, we undertook two rigorous ISMS Audits which gave us autonomy to operate in Spain and Colombia. Based on our success there, we have expanded across the LatAm region by focussing on growth strategy and targeting leading operators there.
From global brands such as 888.com and Betsson.com to smaller, innovative start-ups and country leading casinos, including Gambeta10, Retabet.es, cbet.mx and Yajuego for example, we have built relationships across the board. Basically, if it’s a good operator with a solid reputation, you will find Betsoft games there.
Compliance and Regulation
We ensure that not only are we compliant at all times but that our players are in safe and legal environments. We invest in our players – slots are translated and localised, certifications are obtained and renewed. We are also licenced and certified across Italy, Malta, Romania and the Netherlands.
Provably Fair
We work with GLi Labs and QUINNEL – both acknowledged leaders in RNG and fair play testing – to make sure that playing Betsoft slots is always a high quality experience from start to finish. This means that players can trust the Betsoft brand.
Which slots are your most successful releases and why?
That’s an interesting one because there are many markers of success.
Hold & Win
In terms of rounds played or bets placed, our first Hold & Win led slot, Golden Dragon Inferno™, is just crazy successful and has been in the global Top Three non-stop since release. We have subsequently released other Hold & Win slots; Phở Sho™; Wish Granted™; April Fury and the Chamber of Scarabs™; Super Golden Dragon Inferno™; and Rise of Triton™. All are massively popular and tick the successful boxes, but Golden Dragon Inferno™ clearly has ‘something’ very special.
Personalised Experiences
Wilds of Fortune™ is radically different as it offers a more personalised and up close gaming experience. If you’re a Fruit Machine fan then you will love this slot as you literally watch the rolling fruit symbols drop into place and hear the ‘Ker-ching’ sound of cash winnings tumbling down the chute.
Which slots are your personal favourites?
It’s hard to choose but Golden Dragon Inferno™ is definitely up there. It’s a relatively simple game that plays out an Oriental theme with Stacked Mystery Symbols, a Nudging Multiplier Wild Reel and a fantastically generous Hold & Win feature. The Hit Rate in the base game is 71.39%, so wins on more than seven out of ten spins are possible.
Add in 5,000x max bet, plus all symbols start the pay outs from only two sets appearing and you get very high frequency wins that keep players on the edge of their seats. It’s a beautiful looking game – which is a Betsoft signature – and feature rich with a variety in ways to win that have clearly hit players’ sweet spots.
Chilli Pop, Take the Bank™ and Stampede™ are also personal favourites of mine. These are some of our earlier releases but still get played and enjoy substantial recognition for their ground-breaking features and designs.
How does Betsoft enhance the gaming experience for players?
Well, all our games offer a superb player experience based on quality, creativity, a mix of volatilities, generous win potential and intriguing features but in terms of our competitors, I would say we always go the extra mile for our players.
Enhanced Features and Mechanics
All our Hold & Win slots offer additional ways to win. From the Buy Bonus with enhanced RTP to Free Spins or Multipliers, we add to our releases to create a more immersive experience; so players keep returning to the slot, looking to reach the next level or trigger another feature to develop the game play further.
Exclusive and VIP Experiences
Our risk management is impeccable and we work closely with our clients to deliver amazing exclusives, VIP access, bespoke slots and more for players so that they really get a unique experience.
What recent successes would you like to share with us?
Awards & New Product Development
We recently won several ‘Game of the Year’ industry awards for Wilds of Fortune™ and Alkemor’s Elements™, as well as being nominated for many other releases including our first Crash style slot Triple Cash or Crash™.
In addition, we have launched bespoke games and mini games. We collaborate with our clients to brand either the title or elements within the games and give their VIP players a super-VIP experience whilst Mini games offer all the thrill of a standard Betsoft slot – just bite sized. These have been eagerly picked up, especially by sportsbook crossover players looking for something novel but without needing to commit.
What’s coming next from Betsoft?
We have some great new releases, plus sequels Enchanted: Forest of Fortune™ and Tycoons: Billionaire Bucks™ which take us to year end.
2024 kicks off with a fantastic new Roadmap including the latest ‘Take’ release, Take the Vault™. This slot gives Hold & Win alongside the signature 10 cycle progression feature.
A new Red Dragon™ slot Tiger’s Luck™ also offers Hold & Win while Coins of Ra™ is an Egyptian themed treasure quest with fantastic variety in ways to hit the big wins. Rockstar: World Tour™ is our first release for the new year and we are really excited about this game. Initial player feedback is phenomenal.
We also have some great concepts in the pipeline, including a new style of game in testing.
You can follow us on our social media or sign up for our newsletter through our website and be the first to know, There is always a lot going on at Betsoft!
