Jack and the Beanstalk Is One of Net Ent’s Latest 3D Video Slots
Per Eriksson of NetEnt recently announced his company would be entering the US market soon, after the licensing process is complete in New Jersey. Eriksson did not release many details about his company’s plans, but left the impression Net Entertainment is set to become a global gaming company.
The company’s CEO spoke about the company’s 46% YOY profit increase from 2013 to 2014 and what that means to their business model. The major effect is more capital to invest in expansion, so Eriksson spoke about the various opportunities for expansion.
Talk of Expansion
In his talk, the gaming executive spoke of the opportunity to either consolidate its European holdings or expand into the burgeoning Asian market. Eriksson also discussed the idea of attempting to secure a foothold in the largely-untapped Latin American market and how that would allow Net Ent to gain an advantage when the nations of South America and Central America eventually embrace Internet gaming.
Per Eriksson also discussed an impending contract with Rational Group, which owns PokerStars and FullTilt Poker (and has itself been owned by Amaya Gaming since August 2014). The CEO’s major news was about his company’s chances of entering the New Jersey online gaming market.
Going Live in New Jersey
Net Entertainment is set to go live in New Jersey in the second half of 2015. Eriksson and company are still waiting for approval from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which handles all land-based and online licensing in the state of New Jersey.
Once a license is given in the New Jersey market, Net Ent will be positioned to gain quick approval if any other large US states approve online gambling. The most likely state to do that in 2015 is California, as State Assemblyman Mike Gatto recently introduced a bill to the legislature which is an improvement on the 2014 bill which never received a vote. Pennsylvania, Illinois, or Massachusetts might legalize online gambling in future years–but not in 2015.
Such a move also would allow Net Ent to take advantage if enough states legalized iGaming to sign onto the interstate iPoker compact. New Jersey is in discussions with Nevada and the United Kingdom on such compacts. Though the DGE director doesn’t believe such deals are imminent, he did say he was in talks with both potential partners.
North and South America
Mexico recently announced it was likely to legalize online gambling. If that happens, the NetEnt CEO said he wants to move assets into that country. He also said South America was exciting, but he described the gaming potential of those countries as “untapped”. If ever South America opens itself to online gambling, Brazil will be the big prize on that continent.
Asia or Spain
When asked to say where his non-Western Hemisphere expansion might come, Per Eriksson wavered between multiple Asian countries or Spain, where the company could consolidate its position in Europe. Asia is an interesting study these days, because so many countries have not legalized such gaming, but appear to be on the verge of passing regulations. Eriksson said, “We have all the Asian markets that are laying there and waiting for us and where we see our competitors are doing a lot.”
Spain recently legalized iPoker, so it becomes a top priority for expansion in Europe. Net Ent also has ambitions in Italy and the United Kingdom. Though the UK is saturated, the country’s people love Internet gambling and there is still room for growth there. Sweden and Norway remain areas where growth is possible.
About Net Entertainment
Still, talk about the United States has to excite American gamblers. For the first time, NetEnt’s 3D video slots will be available to American real money gamblers as a legal alternative. US players who haven’t gambled on Net Entertainment slots should be impressed with the video quality, which sometimes reaches movie quality artwork.
For Americans unfamiliar with the company, Net Entertainment is a Swedish online casino software developer. The company, often called Net Ent, is perhaps best known for its line of 3D slot machines. which are some of the best-looking slots on the Internet. Net Ent has a line of licensed slot machines like Scarface, Aliens, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and South Park. It also offers lesser known 3D slot machines like Blood Suckers, EggOMatic, Jack Hammer, Gonzo’s Quest, and Mega Fortune.
