Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN AUG 2019 36 COLUMNISTS The Internet of Things and Blockchain are two topics which are causing a great deal of hype and excitement, not just in the technology circle but in the wider business world too. モノのインターネットとブロックチェーンは、テクノロジー分野だけでなく、 より広いビジネス業界でも大きな興奮と胸の高まりを引き起こしている2大 トピックだ。 facilities provided by some blockchain networks, such as Ethereum, allow for the creation of agreements which will be executed when certain conditions are met. This is likely to be highly useful when it comes to, for example, authorizing one game to react to digital avatars, creating compulsion and providing additional in-game boosts to enhance the gaming experience for new generation customers. Secondly, players will be better equipped with more control while playing, allowing in-game strategy and potentially positioning themselves with higher chances of winning (in selected jurisdictions). These features will engage players for longer time-on-device and drive up revenue from casino floors. Thirdly, as the blockchain and IoT infrastructure becomes mature and widely used, the system offers the potential for greatly improving the overall security of the environment. The new layer will also create access for regulators to promote responsible gambling and AML, for game designers to tap into new sources of information of their players, for casino operators to expand reach to their customers via CRM, for technology companies to innovate in presently unimaginable ways, and for gaming values to grow exponentially. Every new ecosystem starts with a chicken-and- egg problem: the supply won’t join the system unless there’s a demand. And demand is challenging to prove without real supply. As gamers’ data is encrypted and anonymous on the blockchain, casinos are more willing to open the customer gateway with game makers for product improvement. Both casino operators and game makers are now able to offer digital assets for gamers to acquire, encouraging them stay longer on their games and increase revenue for both game makers and casino operators. These unique characteristics present new business opportunities for the industry to compete with upstarts. As this ecosystem flourishes with newly available technology, efficiencies increase, greater returns are achieved and experiences are improved exponentially. It is bringing new business opportunities to innovate and win new fans.