It would be fair to say that 2023 marks the end of a long and bumpy rollercoaster ride for Germany’s most traditional Novoline gaming website, Greentube-owned StarGames.
Following a complete withdrawal from the brand‘s domestic market in 2017, the takeover by Greentube in 2018 and a need to adapt the site’s limitations for licensing in the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein, activity was on ‘Pause‘ for several years.
But, on February 7th this year, that journey came to an end. On that momentous date, parent company Greentube, itself the digital division of NOVOMATIC, finally obtained a German licence for StarGames and a new era for the the site was underway.
Laszlo Pados, Brand Manager of StarGames, took time to explain to Global Gambling News the achievement and the results already being achieved within just a few short months.
“Firstly, the license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the German Federal States (GGL) is not only a reward for the hard work that all employees have put into the project over the last two and a half years, it has also opened up a wealth of new opportunities for us to offer customers even higher quality entertainment.”
Hitting the Bullseye
That same month, February 2023, StarGames surprised German gamers and darts fans alike with an unexpected announcement, sponsorship collaboration with darts professional, Max Hopp.
Max is a former World Youth Champion, former winner of the German Open title, and the only German player to win a PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) ranking tournament. The 26-year-old is currently battling to earn a Tour card and a spot in the World Championship, and recently appeared as a co-commentator for streaming giant DAZN.
Laszlo Pados explains the thinking: “The purpose of this partnership is to focus on providing the StarGames community with unforgettable experiences, beyond virtual slot games, such as Meet & Greet opportunities at leading darts events.
“The brand also aims to support Max’s career as a professional player to the best of our ability, expanding his reach through social media activities and content production.”
Gaming fun on the go
A further huge step forward has been the successful release of the StarGames iOS app. With this development, Greentube fulfilled a frequently expressed desire among the vast Novoline fanbase – to be able to enjoy their favourite classic slots such as Book of Ra on the iPhone or iPad via a secure app and with optimal quality.
Like the Android app that has been available for some time, the iOS development team strives for continuous technical upgrades, allowing for progressively expanding marketing activities and the steady growth of the iOS app’s content portfolio.
Embarking on a new gaming era
Anyone keeping a close eye on the StarGames site’s games tab will see ongoing signs of improvement and growth. However, this is not to suggest that reaching this point has no been a delicate balancing act, as Laszlo explains: “Our Novoline classics such as Book of Ra, Lucky Lady’s Charm and Lord of the Ocean are still the most played titles, which does not come as a surprise considering their popularity in land-based and online casinos. And it is important for us to improve these games and regularly launch new variations.
“But we do not want to relax our aim to offer our customers games and themes from the most renowned German and international providers.”
Popular Merkur titles such as El Torero, the Big Bass slot series from Pragmatic Play and the GAMOMAT title Ramses Book demonstrate a true diversity of titles and providers.
Great leaps in development have also been made within the in-house Greentube slots portfolio. One example being the new Diamond Link slots, where Greentube has merged its most exciting gameplay innovations with high-end graphics to create something very special for players.
Transparency, trust and responsibility
As part of the new German licensing conditions, StarGames is now subject to new regulatory obligations. These include meeting minimum requirements regarding a maximum bet limit of one euro, five-second limits for spins and the maximum cross-platform deposit limit of €1,000.
These are responsibilities that StarGames takes very seriously, partnering with leading analytical application, Neccton, to utilise Mentor, an innovative new tool that guides customers towards responsible entertainment through analysis.
In addition, StarGames prioritises player support via its dedicated player protection team, ensuring that their gaming experience remains safe and enjoyable at all times.
Captivating advertising and boundless experiences
Due to the numerous regulations and restrictions in place, the marketing of slots and gaming sites in Germany can prove highly challenging. This is a complex area, which StarGames intends to address by deploying sophisticated strategies. Their current successful campaign ‘Irgendwo auf der Welt’ (‘Somewhere in the World’) can be seen on television screens across Germany. Reviving 1932’s internationally famous song of the same name, its message symbolises the gaming experience on StarGames.
Although this new era for StarGames is only just over three months old, it is clear that these fresh and exciting ideas have been in the planning for some time. As the iGaming sector begins to follow the traditional evolutionary business model, and begins to consolidate more and more, clear differentiation will become an increasingly valuable asset.
And, leaving the positive final words to Laszlo Pados, “In these first few months following the fresh start, numerous adjustments have been made to lead the beloved gaming brand forward toward a successful future.
But StarGames has many more projects planned, further expanding activities around the brand. “
