NetEnt is Moving Forward Full Throttle, CEO Eriksson Assures

Swedish online slot machine and roulette manufacturer NetEnt is moving boldly in pursuit of an ambitious goal of doubling its global market share to 30 percent.

Main Contingency

A lot of these plans hedge on expansion into a fully regulated US market, where only three states are currently regulated: for now. 

Current Expansion

With high-powered casinos such as 777, SlotJoint, and 10Bet already on its roster, NetEnt recently signed new contracts with casino operators in the United States, Britain and Spain,. With online game production continuously expanding, NetEnt's results are an increase in earnings of over 50 percent last year, doubling share price to push market value into the $2 billion neighborhood.

Eriksson Candid 

In an interview with Reuter's Mia Shanley, NetEnt CEO Per Eriksson explained that with an approximate 30 percent market share in Europe, "we still have big growth potential in Europe” with the European market still with “70 percent to take” as well “the U.S. waiting for us.”

Elements of Growth

Eriksson identified three key elements in driving growth: mobile phone gaming, state lotteries and placement of digital game ports inside physical casinos to increase revenues.

US Value

Now NetEnt just needs more places to expand into. According to industry forecaster H2 Gambling Capital, a fully regulated US market would be worth $8 billion in revenues. NetEnt is one of a number of gambling companies who are betting that will happen.
After signing most of the major operators in New Jersey, NetEnt is banking that Pennsylvania will be next. Eriksson believes this will set off a domino affect amongst states on America's East Coast.

Challenges

Internal challenges to growth include new offices and new product development costs. External challenges NetEnt is preparing for include higher taxes and the added responsibility of prevention of addiction via online technology. 

Per-spective

Amid the inevitable opposition to online gambling, Eriksson maintains a sunny disposition: 

"I feel it's a little bit like rock-n-roll in the 50s, when people said it will destroy everything," he said. "But it's here to stay."