Pragmatic Play Launches Smart Studio Live Casino with Rank Group

The world of live casinos is evolving rapidly, and Pragmatic Play is setting new standards for content individualization with its Smart Studio solution. Rank Group, a heavyweight in the European gambling industry, has now integrated a range of live casino products from the provider that rely precisely on this technology. This allows players at brands such as Mecca Bingo or Grosvenor Casino to access tables that are visually tailored to the respective branding. This is no longer just about providing simple streams, but about creating a digital identity within the gaming environment.

By using modern green-screen technology, Smart Studio allows operators to flexibly design the visual setup of the tables. This applies to classics such as Blackjack and Roulette as well as more modern variants like Auto Roulette and Auto Speed Roulette. This flexibility is a decisive competitive advantage in a market where platforms often find it difficult to differentiate themselves through their pure game offering alone. Rank Group is taking this opportunity to place promotions directly within the gaming environment and offer a consistent brand experience.

Numbers and facts

Pragmatic Play is known for its high output, currently producing up to eight new slot titles per month. The cooperation with Rank Group is just one piece of the puzzle in a global strategy. In Brazil, the Smart Studio solution was recently rolled out with EstrelaBet and Cactus Gaming. At EstrelaBet, the package includes specially localized titles such as VIP Blackjack, Lucky 6 Roulette, and the Blackjack X series.

Collaboration between Pragmatic Play and Rank has already borne fruit in the past. One example is the exclusive launch of Mecca Big Bass Double Dab for the Mecca Bingo brand. The expansion to live dealer tables is the logical consequence of a growing partnership. Tom Orton, Director of Content at Rank, emphasizes the importance of this flexibility.

"Pragmatic Play's Smart Studio solution stands apart, giving us the perfect mix of exceptional product capability and flexibility. It adds a dynamic range of live dealer titles to our offering, while giving us the opportunity to deliver unique customisation to our products." - Tom Orton, Director of Content at Rank

Background

Technologically, Smart Studio is based on the idea that the physical environment of the live studio remains neutral while the digital layer is completely interchangeable. This saves costs for physical modifications and allows for lightning-fast adjustments to seasonal events or special marketing campaigns. Sharon McHugh of Pragmatic Play expressed her delight at the next step in the relationship with Rank Group.

"We are delighted to further our relationship with Rank with the launch of several Smart Studio tables encompassing some of our most popular live casino games." - Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play

Interestingly, a look at other markets shows how important localization has become. In Brazil, one of the fastest-growing regulated markets worldwide, Smart Studio is used to offer special content for Latin America. Victor Arias of ARRISE, the partner company supporting Pragmatic Play in Latin America, sees the solution as a milestone for engagement in the region. Titles like Lucky 6 Roulette are particularly in demand there to suit local tastes.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the question of availability always arises with such reports. Since the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) came into force, live casino games such as Roulette and Blackjack are generally not provided for in German online casinos with a nationwide license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). These licenses are limited to virtual slot games. Live dealer offers fall under the jurisdiction of the individual federal states, which have so far been extremely hesitant to grant corresponding licenses for online table games.

Anyone playing in Germany at a legal provider on the GGL whitelist will therefore not be able to enjoy these new Smart Studio tables for the time being. Slots dominate here with the mandatory 1 Euro stake limit per spin and the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euro via the LUGAS system. Nevertheless, the development is relevant for German customers, as Pragmatic Play is one of the main suppliers of legal German slots. Advances in live technology often flow into overall platform quality, which ultimately also benefits German slot offshoots.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Operators with a GGL license are closely watching such international developments. The ability to heavily brand games would also be a powerful tool for the German market to distinguish oneself within the tight regulatory framework. However, as long as table games are regulatorily blocked or only available to a very limited extent, Smart Studio remains a technology for the future for the German core market. However, it illustrates that the trend is moving away from standard solutions towards tailor-made content that meets the legal requirements of the respective jurisdiction.