After over a decade of exclusive access to brick-and-mortar casinos, Aristocrat Leisure’s blockbuster slot, Buffalo is set to debut at BetMGM online casino. BetMGM New Jersey made this announcement on September 5 as it became the first-ever internet gaming operator to launch the slot machine on an online platform.
The casino further revealed that plans were underway to extend the slot’s availability to Michigan and Pennsylvania in the near future. Buffalo is one of the most popular land-based slot machines in the industry and was recently revamped for online gaming by Anaxi.
Aristocrat Leisures Limited formed Anaxi back in 2022 as its online real money gaming and customer experience solutions platform. Since then, Anaxi has helped bolster its parent company’s iGaming portfolio by redesigning some of its classic releases as online slots.
Anaxi-BetMGM Partnership Already in Place Since February
BetMGM being the first to launch the online version of the famous slot is not accidental. In February 2023, Anaxi and BetMGM signed a strategic partnership deal which would see the casino launch exclusive games from the developer.
This comes as no surprise since BetMGM is one of the largest online casino brands in the country by market share. So, it naturally presents better reach and considerably more positive revenue prospects for gaming studios looking to enter the US market.
Expressing delight about the launch, Cath Burns, the Chief Operating Officer of Anaxi said, “The stampede has officially begun, and we’re thrilled that BetMGM players can now enjoy the iconic Buffalo game online.”
Jointly owned by MGM Resorts International and Entain PLC, BetMGM boasts over 1,500 games and one of the biggest exclusive jackpot offers. In a statement confirming the launch of Buffalo slot at BetMGM, the casino was said to have paid out about $75 million in jackpots during the first half of 2023.
“BetMGM is honored to be the first online destination for Buffalo. We are ready to bring the thrill and excitement of Buffalo to our players in New Jersey and additional states this fall, said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer of BetMGM. Anaxi captured the fast-paced elements of Buffalo which players love and are now able to experience in the palm of their hands.”
Buffalo Debut Set to Trigger iGaming Business Boom
Compared to sports betting, only a few states in the US legally permit iGaming activities. However, states have generated far more gross receipts from online slots and table games than they have from sports wagering.
With this trend continuing, and the gap between iGaming and sports betting revenue widening, there is no doubt that we’d see more states legalize online gaming in the near future. Player-favorite slots like Buffalo will be key to unlocking the benefits of increased customer participation and higher gross receipts at online casinos in due time.
The debut at BetMGM will also provide a massive indicator to Aristocrat’s iGaming outlook. Buffalo is a 5x4 slot game with 20 paylines and a low variance. These features made it popular with its brick-and-mortar audience and is expected to provide similar reception with online players.
Should Buffalo meet and exceed projections, it would provide incentives for Anaxi and Aristocrat to revamp more titles. In turn, this would increase their online catalog without significant cost implications.
Besides, the iGaming industry in the US is content-centric, with most people preferring well-known titles than fresh adventures. Buffalo provides that type of content and also guarantees an avenue for large jackpots.
Players can enjoy the Buffalo slot on BetMGM Casino mobile and desktop platforms in New Jersey. The casino’s mobile apps are available on iOS and Android devices.
