888 plots AI-powered casino platform launch
Group COO Itai Pazner says new platform is firm’s route to future growth in casino
888 is set to roll out a new casino platform in the coming weeks that will incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts, the firm revealed yesterday.
Speaking after 888’s FY17 results, where revenues were up 4%, group COO Itai Pazner said the new casino platform would be rolled out in a “few weeks”.
“This is the biggest development in our casino vertical,” Pazner said.
“First of all it looks very slick for the customer on the front-end [pictured], but the main thing is the infrastructure, the back-end that will allow us to do more segmentation, more personalisation and we are implementing things like artificial intelligence and machine learning.”
The platform will go some way to rejuvenating a casino vertical that accounts for around 60% off 888 revenues, but saw a slowdown in growth in 2017, with revenues up 4% year-on-year.
“It’s an acceptable performance but not a ‘strong’ one by any stretch,” noted Regulus Partners’ Paul Leyland.
However, Pazner said the new platform, developed in-house, was seen “as the potential for our future growth in casino.”
Canaccord Genuity’ Simon Davies was more positive on the firm, saying its “in-house technology platforms” justified a premium valuation.