Analysis OFFLINE/ONLINE
GreenshootsinFrance
Next year will see the launch
ofMypok.fr - a joint project between French operator SOCODEMand Spiral Solutions
Frédérique Ruggieri’ is the President of France-based casino operator, SOCODEM group, which is to launch a new poker site in France in conjunction with custom- made eGaming solutions provider, Spiral Solutions.
Mypok.fr will be based on France's leading online poker network - a joint venture between Prima Networks Limited, powered by Microgaming and 888 Holdings, which is the only network to host four ARJEL approved operators.
G3i quizzed Mr. Ruggieri about his company’s choices in taking SOCODEM’s offline gaming business into the online gaming marketplace.
G3i: How do you begin the process of taking SOCODEM into online gaming? What did you include on your shopping list and who did you ask to find out what items you needed in the first place?
FR:SOCODEM has been studying the G3i I ISSUE 2 I PAGE 46
online gaming market for two years. We were waiting for the market to be legalised to enter it. Our first priority was then to find reliable partners so that we might enter the market.
G3i: What research did you do into the online gaming market? Did you employ specialists/consultants or perform this work internally – and why?
FR:No, we did the study internally. We had carefully watched the Italian market which had already been regulated and that allowed us to find the best solution for the French market.
G3i: How did you transfer the values of the SOCODEM brand into the online gaming experience? SOCODEM locations are renowned for their friendly, attractive atmosphere and great staff – how do you transfer those things online?
“Themarketwas evenmore
competitivewhenwe set up our land-
based casinos as it was controlled by threemain
operatorswhowere very active at
preserving their leadership and
blocking themarket. Online gambling is
newin France thus we are all starting fromthe same
position. Even if our
means are different we are in a position to offer a product
that is as interesting as that of our competitors.”
Frédérique Ruggieri’, President,
SOCODEMgroup.
FR:One of our priorities has always been to stand out from the competition, to pay careful attention to our clients’ expectations and to propose products which best meet our players’ requirements. The same principles will guide us for the online market and we will try to foresee and meet our online players’ expectations.
G3i: What are the advantages of being a land-based operator entering the online gaming market for the first time? Are there disadvantages too – since this is a very competitive market after all?
FR:The market was even more competitive when we set up our land-based casinos as it was controlled by three main operators who were very active at preserving their leadership and blocking the market. Online gambling is new in France thus we are all starting from the same position. Even if our means are different we are in a position to offer a product that is as interesting as that of our competitors.
The kind of poker we have developed in our casinos – notably that of Gujan – has become famous and online players can fully rely on our successful four year experience.
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