## Ten Years Onward
Celebrating a decade, let’s journey through time with David Cook, revisiting the remarkable evolution of both interactive entertainment and this publication.
The past ten years have been nothing short of revolutionary for gaming. Mobile gaming was just finding its footing, the United States hadn’t ventured into online wagering regulations (excluding Nevada, and even then, no individual game sports betting!), the United Kingdom was commencing its Fixed Odds Betting Terminal saga, and some gaming titans we recognize today were either in their infancy or not yet conceived.
When *Gaming Insider* debuted in 2010, the industry paid attention. A genuine desire existed for a publication providing keen analysis of both physical and virtual sectors, all while monitoring the pulse of every global corner. Our creators, equipped with extensive industry ties and an unwavering work ethic, established a magazine that every significant gaming entity wanted to join.
Whether a dedicated reader since our inception or newly discovering an issue, we trust you’ll sense the enthusiasm and commitment poured into covering subjects resonating most with our discerning readership.
In todays swiftly changing market, maintaining a competitive edge is demanding, but one thing remains constant: it’s perpetually engaging, with an abundance of discussion points!
Within this magazine edition (available at ICE London), you’ll discover that our yearly CEO Spotlight persists as a favored element, consistently expanding. Its inception was the January/February 2015 issue, featuring dialogues with the heads of Betfred, IGT International, Microgaming, and MGM Resorts International. Subsequently, we’ve had the privilege of engaging with leaders from entities like GVC Holdings, 888 Holdings, Novomatic, NetEnt, and Scientific Games, among others. You grasp the concept.
Personally, I’m thrilled to witness the advancement of our other offerings, encompassing various special publications, the GamblingInsider.com web portal, and naturally, the GI Huddle podcast, launched last year.
Gazing toward the coming decade, one ponders the potential extent of consolidation, a recurring motif within this sector in recent times. A mere ten years ago, Ladbrokes, Coral, bwin, PartyGaming (now under GVC), Paddy Power, Betfair, PokerStars, and Sky Bet (all owned or nearing ownership by Flutter Entertainment) functioned as autonomous entities. Incidentally, Flutter also possesses FanDuel.
Its captivating to gain an insider’s perspective on the sports wagering sector, particularly considering the recent surge in mergers. For instance, the purchases of OpenBet by NYX Gaming Group, followed by NYX by Scientific Games, underscore the significant impact a dominant entity can exert.
As someone immersed in this realm, the inner workings, often hidden from the average consumer, have always captivated me. From my initial forays as a bettor – the exhilaration of winning £4 on a 3-1 England exhibition victory against Mexico in 2010 remains vivid (undoubtedly beginner’s fortune!) – I’ve personally encountered the peaks and valleys of wagering. Nevertheless, the unfavorable media coverage frequently surrounding the industry, especially within the UK, has been disheartening.
Upon commencing my tenure at Gambling Insider, I was astonished to discover the multitude of markets operating with minimal oversight. Gambling in the UK was once perceived as a benign form of amusement. Regrettably, this perception has transformed in recent times, fueled by a blend of assertive marketing and, at times, unjust, slanted reporting. It almost appears as though we were once pioneers compared to nations like the US regarding responsible gaming, but now the two markets seem to be diverging. The decrease in maximum wagers on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to £2 and the looming prohibition on credit card gambling in the UK exemplify this shift.
Our objective isn’t to choose a position in the discussion surrounding the sector’s merits and shortcomings. Rather, we aspire to provide insightful and educational journalism that furnishes our audience with the understanding they require to traverse this constantly shifting terrain. We’ll undoubtedly highlight areas for enhancement, but our concentration will perpetually be on advancement and how the sector is progressing.
Therefore, if you should possess a glass of bubbly nearby as you peruse this, offer a salute with us to another exhilarating ten years ahead. Let’s reconvene here in 2030 and observe our position then!
