Everi Vi: Mobile Gaming Expands Beyond the Physical Casino Floor

The gaming industry is currently experiencing a wave of innovation. A new approach by Everi, called Everi Vi, promises to fundamentally change the possibilities of regulated gaming. This technology is the first comprehensive mobile real-money solution for Class II gaming and extends far beyond the physical boundaries of traditional casinos. It allows players to use their favorite games on mobile devices while on casino premises. This merges the online and offline worlds of gambling in a new way. The launch occurred earlier this year with the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma, marking a significant milestone. Since then, Everi Vi has also launched with Prairie Band in Kansas.

Everi Vi integrates Everi's digital Class II games, the CashClub Wallet, and the company's compliance and loyalty products into the Muscogee Nation's Class II gaming app. According to the manufacturer, this solution is the only one of its kind to provide all necessary components from a single supplier. This creates a seamless player experience that offers both security and convenience. Players can access a wide range of games through this app, while casinos simultaneously find new ways to retain customers and strengthen their loyalty.

Numbers and facts

Everi Vi, certified by GLI for both Class II and Class III gaming, boasts impressive integration into existing casino infrastructures. To date, over 30 Everi Class II games have been approved for the platform, complemented by over 150 Class III games. This demonstrates the breadth of the offering and its technical capability. The solution includes not only games but also self-service kiosks for funding, ratings, rewards, and promotions. Richard Sagman, Everi Senior Vice President Product Management, emphasized the platform's uniqueness:

"There is no other platform that has the casino platform, loyalty system, funding, and the games all from a single supplier. In fact, some of the tools we have deployed in this crossover between land-based and digital are exclusive to Everi Vi. We are the only Class II option available on the App Store and Google Play." - Richard Sagman, Senior Vice President Product Management at Everi

This exclusive positioning, especially on the App Store and Google Play, underscores Everi's pioneering role. The Muscogee Nation and Prairie Band are already benefiting from repeat visits and increased player reach. This is a crucial advantage in a highly competitive market. Another benefit is the Everi Jackpot Xpress tool, which enables an automated jackpot process directly from the player's mobile phone. Winners can fill out forms, receive W2G documents, and cash out their winnings while continuing to play. This means high convenience for users and efficient processing for casinos.

Background

The concept behind Everi Vi aims to bridge the gap between land-based casinos and digital gaming. Sagman highlights that the solution is an extension of the casino floor and seamlessly integrates with casino systems. When a player registers via the mobile app, they are directly included in the casino's rewards system. They are immediately a carded player once they enter the casino. This connectivity creates a comprehensive and enjoyable gaming experience. Players develop trust with casinos with which they already have a relationship. This trust is key to customer loyalty and increasing the acceptance of new technologies.

The concern of many operators about cannibalization of land-based revenues by mobile offerings has not been confirmed in the initial implementations. Sagman reported on the Muscogee Nation, who spoke about their experiences at the IGA conference. They stated that they had seen absolutely no cannibalization. Instead, there was simultaneous growth in both the digital and land-based sectors. Another important finding is that the platform helps operators better understand their players, such as which games are popular or when they play. This data is extremely valuable for strategic alignment and marketing.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, this development means that modern technologies could also improve the gaming experience here, once licensing for such integrated solutions occurs. The German State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) has newly regulated the market in Germany. In Germany, there are specific requirements that differ significantly from those in the USA. Online gambling is only permitted with providers who have a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL). This GGL whitelist is the only reliable source for legally playable online gambling in Germany. Mobile solutions like Everi Vi must adapt to strict German regulations. These include betting limits of 1 euro per spin on slot machines and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, which is controlled by the central monitoring system LUGAS. Casinos operating with an MGA or Curacao license are not legal in Germany. Player protection under GlüStV 2021 is very high, but the requirements for providers are also correspondingly comprehensive.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

In the context of GGL-licensed casinos in Germany, a technology like Everi Vi could open up innovative possibilities in the long term. If the legal framework for integrated casino solutions between offline and online casinos evolves, GGL casinos could develop similar offerings. The concept of "omnibus channel", where players can interact seamlessly both in land-based casinos and mobile, aligns well with modern requirements. Player protection, such as limits and connectivity to LUGAS, would always be in the foreground. However, technical integration and compliance with strict licensing requirements would be a major challenge. An adaptation of the Everi Vi platform for the German market would have to meet the strict requirements of GlüStV 2021 to offer players a safe and regulated gaming experience.