Ian Catchick & Vytautas Graiciunas: “Lucky Kicks combines the thrill of sports betting with quickfire casino games”

BetGames is an award-winning creator of live dealer betting products that aim to bridge the gap between sports betting and casino games. Its portfolio includes a range of cutting-edge products, including Classic Roulette, Lucky 7 and the hit crash game Skyward.

We sat down with BetGames Chief Product and Business Development Officer Ian Catchick and Lead Product Owner Vytautas Graiciunas to delve into Lucky Kicks, the provider’s latest penalty shootout game.

Ian Catchick – Chief Product and Business Development Officer

Q: What was the inspiration behind the creation of Lucky Kicks?

The BetGames ethos is to bridge the gap between sports betting and casino games, and Lucky Kicks provided the perfect opportunity to do just that. The game fuses a sports theme with fast, high-intensity gameplay to provide something completely unique for players. The real penalty shootout leverages the global appeal of football, while providing sizable win potential in a fast gameplay period, engaging casino and sports players.

Q: What has been the initial reaction to the game?

The initial reaction from both sports bettors and casino players has been overwhelmingly positive. We have seen good take-up from both experienced players and new demographics, which is a testament to all the hard work put in across the company during the development process. It is simple to grasp for recreational gamers which has boosted acquisition, while the engaging penalty footage has delivered impressive retention results.

Q: How can the inclusion of bespoke branding elevate Lucky Kicks for operators?

While we do offer a standard network version of every game, we also see very promising results tending to come from our branded content. Players place their trust in specific brands, and knowing their favourite operator is directly linked with a game can provide familiarity and ensure the customer is fully comfortable, leading to greater retention. It can also act as a springboard for attracting new players, who are more likely to trial a bespoke game that they can trust.

Q: What else is there to look forward to on BetGames’ product roadmap?

Without revealing too many specific details, we are working on a unique gameshow that is simple to grasp, easy to play and features big jackpots. As well as new live content, BetGames is also turning its attention to the RNG vertical, and there are several products currently in the pipeline. For our partners, improved customer development and gamification tools are also on the horizon. I can assure you; some real innovation is just around the corner!

Vytautas Graiciunas – Lead Product Owner

Q: What were the key considerations during the development of Lucky Kicks?

There were plenty of technical curveballs throughout development. This is always the case, and while stressful, it makes it far more satisfying when the product is delivered. The main issue was finding a way to perfectly balance the RNG, while also ensuring the game latency was optimised to deliver seamless cross-platform compatibility across numerous regions.

Q: What challenges did you face during the process?

One of the key problems we encountered was mirroring the tension of an elite shootout. It took a huge amount of finetuning to maintain the realism of the penalties, while also guaranteeing fast-paced, unpredictable betting action.

Q: There are close to 5,000 clips of penalties recorded. Explain the filming process.

The only way I can describe the filming process is that it was like capturing the world’s longest penalty shootout! It’s worth noting that while the game features close to 5,000 penalties, in reality, we filmed thousands more shots. Everything was spontaneous. There were no predetermined actions prior to each penalty. The player simply took a penalty, and the goalkeeper attempted to save it. It is this spontaneity which makes Lucky Kicks fair, realistic and exciting. The film crew were incredibly dedicated and patient, capturing every single angle and making sure each clip was as crisp and as smooth as possible.

Q: How does Lucky Kicks effectively bridge the gap between sports bettors and casino games?

Lucky Kicks offers the best of both worlds, combining the thrill of sports betting with quickfire casino games. For football fans, the high-quality footage and skill level of the players involved provide an authentic sports betting experience, while the simplicity and instantaneous results appeal to casino players. Bets are also placed with casino-style chips, once again attracting iGaming enthusiasts with that essence of familiarity. It was a brilliant experience to see the game come together, from the initial inception of an idea to the polished final product, and we are already seeing very positive engagement metrics with customers clearly enjoying it!

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