TESTA Q2 2024 slots performance analysis in 8 Asian Markets
In 2024, Asia’s iGaming industry remains vibrant, with millions playing online slots daily. The Asia-Pacific slot game industry is projected to reach $5.19 billion by 2030.
Localization plays a role because games featuring Asian cultural themes, such as lucky symbols and folklore, resonate deeply with players. Cultural imagery around luck and money in Asia arguably resonates more deeply than the much more varied themes found in the west. From the wild west, to luck o’ the Irish, to Norse mythology, to fishing, to movies and TV shows, it’s more of a mixed bag.
The common thing for everyone is UX—specifically load times. If a game doesn’t load, and it’s glitchy, players are far less likely to keep spinning.
First to load, first to win
Success in Asia, like any market, hinges on optimizing slots performance metrics like game load times. Seamless experiences boost user satisfaction and retention.
Building on the Q1 2024 slot game performance benchmark report, TESTA has conducted new tests in late Q2 to evaluate slots performance. The TESTA Qrowd community—a diverse, iGaming-savvy team of real people on real devices—was once again activated in 8 key Asian markets: India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This report presents an overview of how each country compares, along with detailed country-specific iGaming market analysis, revealing how players are truly treated and highlighting the best and worst performers in the region. Explore more of TESTA’s crowdsourced market research and benchmarking in Asia and around the world.
Testing methodology
TESTA provides accurate data collected by on-location testers using their own devices. With testers worldwide, TESTA ensures consistency and accuracy through a standardized test setup and data collection process. Testers are instructed to…
- Visit the online casino platform sportsbet.io.
- Log in to their own accounts.
- Search for top slot games with their region.
- Screen record their testing process and test the load time for each game.
- Send data and video footage back to TESTA.
Game load time is the duration from game page load to the in-game interface becoming interactable.
A note on game load time
It’s important to remember that game load time is just one aspect of the overall player experience. While players generally appreciate games that load quickly, it’s not always wise to compromise on game asset resolution or animation smoothness for the sake of faster loading times. Players’ expectations of a “smooth and fast-loading game” involve a balance between load speed and overall game quality.
For this benchmark, game load time was the metric for comparison since it is most intuitively felt by players. However, factors such as game size and in-game loading speeds also significantly impact user experience and are crucial for providers to consider. For detailed test data for each country, please get in touch with TESTA directly.
Slot game software load time overall analysis
Comparison by country
When comparing load times by country, country-specific factors will play the most important role. Factors such as local internet infrastructure, average device performance, and user preferences for content formats can significantly impact load times. Additionally, regulatory policies such as data privacy laws or censorship measures, may also affect load times in each country.
- Best performer: Thailand
- The best performer in Q2 2024 is Thailand, scoring first place with a 10-game average load time of 12.5 seconds.
- In previous rounds of testing, TESTA has repeatedly found Thailand a strong contender in the comparison by country bracket, consistently landing in the top 50% of countries tested.
- Thailand’s leading placement this time falls in line with previous performances and showcases the country’s progress in both its improvement of internet infrastructure and a shift towards better device performance across the board.
- Providers looking for entry into Thailand should take note of these trends and optimize their slot game software accordingly.
- Top performers (sub-20s): Thailand (12.5s), India (15.24s), Korea (15.41s), Indonesia (16.731), and Japan (16.732s).
- Of the 8 countries tested, 5 were able to deliver excellent game load speeds of less than 20 seconds.
- Notably, India is the new contender for the sub 20s list of performers, while the other four countries have previously placed here in our Q1 2024 testing.
- Compared to our Q1 2024 rankings, TESTA observes that placements of each country have shuffled around somewhat, but no significant alterations (more than 5 second difference) in average load times have taken place.
- This indicates that while player expectations in India may be rapidly increasing due to developments in the market, the other listed Asian countries have comparatively mature markets that, while still having a lot of room to grow, are now past the chaotic rapid expansion phase where player expectations are still uncertain.
- In need of improvement: Philippines
- With a 10-game average of 50.45 seconds, Filipino players are forced to contend with near-minute-long load times for their online slot game software experiences.
- While this indicates that providers may be able to get away with less stringent load time optimizations in the market, it also shows a potential area for providers to distinguish themselves from the competition.
Comparison by provider
When comparing load times by game provider, factors unique to each provider will have the most impact. Things like server location and capacity, optimization techniques, and complexity of game assets can all influence load times. For highly globalized providers, the efficiency of their content delivery network (CDN) and their investment in global infrastructure will play crucial roles in determining load times across each region.
- Providers who made it into the top 10 in all 8 countries:
- Hacksaw and Spinomenal
Much like TESTA’s previous Q1 2024 slot game benchmark, Hacksaw and Spinomenal once again performed consistently well across the 8 tested Asian countries. Their consistently excellent performance indicates a combination of the following factors:
- Load-friendly game design
- To mitigate lengthy initial load times, it’s effective to package the slot game’s initial download with only the essential assets needed to launch the menu and tutorial levels. Additional assets for the full game experience can be downloaded in the background while the player completes the initial onboarding process.
- To mitigate lengthy initial load times, it’s effective to package the slot game’s initial download with only the essential assets needed to launch the menu and tutorial levels. Additional assets for the full game experience can be downloaded in the background while the player completes the initial onboarding process.
- Market-aware optimization
- Implementing dedicated CDNs for each market significantly reduces load times, improves latency, and enhances the overall player experience.
- Creating customized game versions for each market, with assets tailored to the average internet speed of the target market, can also reduce the bandwidth requirements during the initial loading phase.
- Collaborating with local crowdtesting feedback service providers like TESTA can help identify and resolve issues that conventional testing might miss, such as compatibility conflicts with popular phone models in the target market or unusual load time discrepancies caused by software bugs prevalent in the local area.
- Attention to detail
- Given that some players load multiple games in different tabs and return later to check on them, the slot game software should start the initial onboarding with the minimally required assets and continue downloading the remaining game resources once the initial download is complete.
- Given that some players load multiple games in different tabs and return later to check on them, the slot game software should start the initial onboarding with the minimally required assets and continue downloading the remaining game resources once the initial download is complete.
The only provider taking first place in more than one country:
- Pragmatic Play managed to take first place in three countries, scoring 8.6s in Indonesia, 8.55s in Japan, and 8.37s in South Korea.
In a repeat of previous excellence from our Q1 2024 test, Pragmatic Play once again scored first place in multiple countries. While it was Japan and Vietnam last time, the three winners are now Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.
Pragmatic Play’s exceptional achievement of having the fastest load time in three markets simultaneously is noteworthy for several reasons. In Indonesia, Pragmatic Play came out ahead of second place Habanero with a slightly over 1 second lead. They attained similar leads in Japan and South Korea with a slight over 2 second lead and just under 1 second lead, respectively.
In other words, Pragmatic Play has managed to create a significant load time performance gap between them and their competitors across these three markets, demonstrating optimization excellence that takes user experience into account as one of their foremost priorities.
Provider most in need of optimization:
- Betsoft made it into the top 10 in five countries, but in two of them it is the slowest among the top 10 providers: in India it is 23.34s, in Indonesia it’s 27.31s.
- BGaming also made it into the top 10 in five countries, but in two of them it is the slowest among the top 10 providers: in Malaysia it is 94.57s, in Philippines it’s 346.67s, almost 10 times longer than the top 9 with 39.01s.
It is worth noting here that the performance data for BGaming in Malaysia and the Philippines are several standard deviations away from the main data cluster. While this indicates possible temporary connection issues that significantly slowed down their load times for the duration of time wherein our testers conducted the tests, players during those times nonetheless experienced significantly degraded experiences due to the prolonged load times. We recommend that providers periodically test for connection issues through both synthetic and crowdtest approaches to ensure best performance for their players.
Country-specific iGaming market analyses
India
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: BGaming with 8.76 s
- Most in need of optimization: Betsoft with 23.34 s, but compared to Q1 performance at 51.50s, improvements have been made.
India’s iGaming market shows promising signs of sustained growth for the remainder of the year. The increase in internet usage, rising disposable incomes, and a burgeoning interest in digital entertainment have established slot games as a key segment of the Indian iGaming landscape. Nevertheless, there are still hurdles that need addressing to fully capitalize on this potential.
While TESTA’s recent data reveals that BGaming tops the charts with an impressive average load time of 8.76 seconds, competitors like Hacksaw and One Touch are trailing closely at 11.07 and 11.19 seconds, respectively. In fact, all but the last two ranking providers have sub 20 second load times. This performance spectrum places India in a competitive position as it underscores the necessity for continual optimization to accommodate the diverse array of devices used by Indian players.
Despite having the third-fastest internet infrastructure among tested Asian countries, India grapples with regional disparities in development and access. To tackle these issues, providers should consider implementing regional CDNs and ensuring compatibility with the most widely used devices across different states.
Indonesia
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Pragmatic Play with 8.6 s
- Most in need of optimization: Betsoft with 27.31 s
Indonesia’s iGaming market has experienced significant growth despite facing strict regulations. The tech-savvy population and increasing disposable incomes have fueled the popularity of iGaming, with the slot game segment seeing particularly impressive gains.
Currently, slot game load times in Indonesia are commendable. Pragmatic Play leads with an average load time of 8.6 seconds, followed by Habanero and Hacksaw with load times of 9.61 and 11.75 seconds, respectively. The performance spectrum highlights providers’ ability to adapt to the nation’s challenging island-based geography. The strategic distribution of optimized content delivery network servers across the various islands has effectively mitigated bandwidth bottlenecks, improving Indonesia’s ranking in this segment.
Given the historical nature of the data, providers are encouraged to seek up-to-date crowdtesting services for the latest insights into local performance metrics. Network conditions vary significantly from island to island, and obtaining accurate performance data through on-the-ground testers is a cost-effective approach to ensure optimal gaming experiences across Indonesia.
Japan
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Pragmatic Play with 8.55s
- Most in need of optimization: Red Tiger with 23.06s
Japan’s iGaming market, known for its technological prowess and gambling culture, offers substantial opportunities for slot game providers despite stringent gambling laws. Offshore operators are still finding success within the market as evidenced in our Japan UX benchmark report.
Japan’s advanced technological infrastructure is reflected in the recent data on slot game load times. Pragmatic Play leads with a stellar load time of 8.55 seconds, followed by Nolimit City and Wazdan with load times of 10.81 and 11.23 seconds, respectively. This performance places Japan among the top contenders in the region, supported by the widespread availability of fiber optic internet, present in over 99% of households.
To capitalize on these favorable conditions, providers must ensure swift access to their slot games in Japan. Slow-loading games can significantly disadvantage providers in a competitive market where speed is paramount. Implementing adaptive technologies to optimize player experiences and reduce load times will be essential for success in the Japanese iGaming market.
Malaysia
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Hacksaw Gaming with 23.15s
- Most in need of optimization: BGaming with 94.57s
Although online gambling is prohibited by both governmental law and Sharia Law for Muslims, the iGaming industry remains active in Malaysia. Players are largely free to engage in most forms of iGaming since enforcement targets platforms rather than users. Despite this active market, recent benchmark testing showed Malaysia’s slot game software placed second-to-last with an average load time of 35.75 seconds.
The rapid deployment of fiber infrastructure in recent years has improved internet access, yet a significant gap remains between urban and rural areas. Rural areas often rely on slower technologies like ADSL, even if fiber optic is available, resulting in inconsistent and sometimes expensive internet speeds compared to other regional competitors such as Japan or South Korea. These disparities highlight the need for optimized load times to enhance user experience across the country.
For providers aiming to enter the Malaysian market, it is crucial to optimize slot game software for generally slow and unreliable internet speeds, especially during peak hours. Defaulting to lower-resolution assets with the option for players to switch to higher quality graphics can accommodate fluctuating internet conditions. Additionally, ensuring the responsiveness of the slot game interface under challenging conditions will help avoid latency and packet loss issues, providing a smoother gaming experience for Malaysian players.
The Philippines
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Nolimit City with 9.27s
- Most in need of optimization: BGaming with 346.47s, slower than Q1 record at(48.98s)
Online gambling is officially authorized in the Philippines and managed by the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). PAGCOR has reported record-breaking gross gaming revenues of 5.7 billion for 2023 and is projected to hit its 2024 target for 6.7 billion by the end of the year, indicating a promising future for the iGaming industry as a whole. As a staple game mode in any online iGaming portfolio, slot games are poised for continued growth in the region.
In this round of testing, the Philippines managed to score 6th place among the eight countries in comparison. Despite previous challenges with live dealer game load times, slot game load times have also been suboptimal. Big Time Gaming, Red Tiger, and One Touch have average load times of 19.03, 22.52, and 28.8 seconds, respectively. While a wide 4G network and the deployment of 5G in selected areas are available, the country’s reliance on mobile network connections remains a major pain point.
Mobile networks have limited airwave bandwidth, leading to congestion during peak hours and less reliability compared to broadband or fiber optic connections. This issue is compounded by disparities in internet infrastructure development between rural and urban areas, requiring providers to optimize their games for generally below-average internet speeds. Providers should focus on improving game performance for mobile networks, possibly by using adaptive technologies to ensure smooth gameplay even under fluctuating internet conditions.
South Korea
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Pragmatic Play with 8.37s
- Most in need of optimization: Spinomenal with 24.74s
South Korea is a country with a strong gaming culture that significantly contributes to the growth of iGaming. As both a major consumer and exporter of games, the country has a tech-savvy population that is predisposed to all forms of iGaming, including slot games. Innovative slot game software that incorporates novel game mechanics has proven particularly popular with South Korean players.
Being one of the first countries to implement gigabit fiber, South Korea enjoys exceptional internet infrastructure that offers widespread access to fast and reliable connections. For typically larger-sized slot game software, such internet conditions are conducive to achieving shorter load times. This is reflected in the data of the tested South Korean slot games: Pragmatic Play, Nolimit City, and Play’n Go achieved sub-10 second averages, while seven providers managed sub-20 second averages, with only one provider having a load time longer than 20 seconds.
Data suggests that providers who want to tap into the South Korean iGaming market should prioritize load time optimization to meet high user expectations. Tailored optimization strategies with active feedback would play an important role for providers looking to excel in this competitive market. TESTA’s crowdsourced testing option may be a valuable tool for providers aiming to gain a competitive edge in the South Korean iGaming sector.
Thailand
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Push Gaming with 7.04 s
- Most in need of optimization: Red Tiger with 18.11s
- Notable mention: Push Gaming improved substantially from its Q1 ranking at 32.11s
Despite strict gambling laws, Thailand’s iGaming market continues to thrive, with potential official legalization looming on the horizon. Slot game software that blends local Thai cultural elements into its design is a key contributor to the country’s projected $546 million USD iGaming valuation.
In this round of slot game benchmarking, Thailand placed fourth, showing a disparity from its previous second-place ranking in the live dealer casinos benchmark report. Unlike live dealer games, which require sustained bandwidth to transmit live streams, slot games have most of their bandwidth demands concentrated in the initial loading phase. Subsequent gameplay after the initial download tends to require minimal bandwidth for acknowledging and verifying game state changes.
As a result, Thailand’s internet infrastructure has proven capable of handling sustained bandwidth demands but less so with burst bandwidth scenarios. Providers should focus on “play as you download” optimizations, where only essential assets are processed upfront, and additional assets are downloaded as the player engages with the game. This approach can ensure a smoother gaming experience, leveraging Thailand’s strengths and addressing its specific challenges.
Vietnam
Benchmark summary:
- Fastest loading game: Relax Gaming with 18.46s
- Most in need of optimization: Wazdan with 96.64s
Vietnam’s iGaming market has all the factors in place to experience significant growth. With a young and tech-savvy population that is steadily gaining higher disposable incomes, Vietnam is primed for iGaming success. However, challenges such as slow internet speeds persist, necessitating meticulous optimization by providers.
In this round of slot game load speed testing, Vietnam was found to have the slowest loading time among all the tested Asian countries, mirroring its last-place result in the live dealer casino load time benchmark. With an average load time of 57.85 seconds across the ten tested providers, it ranks significantly behind even the second-to-last place Malaysia at 30.35 seconds. One provider even recorded a lethargic 128.9-second load time, highlighting the country’s lack of speedy internet access compared to its peers.
Providers offering slot games targeting the Vietnam market need to be aware of these internet conditions and make optimizations accordingly. Lower-resolution assets, play-as-you-download optimizations, and local content delivery networks may all be useful tools for providers targeting this region. Any provider that can deliver speedy load times and a better player experience will be well-positioned to distinguish themselves from the competition.
Key factors affecting slot game performance
The performance of slot games can be influenced by numerous factors. Two primary reasons stand out:
- Game size:
- Slot games often include a plethora of images, music, and animations.
- These elements contribute to a larger game size, which can impact load times.
- Larger game files require more data to be downloaded, slowing the initial loading process.
- Game load speed:
- The efficiency of the provider in optimizing game infrastructure according to the market’s network conditions.
- Proper optimization can significantly enhance load times, ensuring a smoother user experience.
- Server location:
- The physical location of the server hosting the game plays a critical role.
- Example:
- If a provider’s slot game is hosted on a server located in Europe but aims to serve players in Asia, the loading time might not be ideal due to the distance.
- Implementing Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) or edge nodes close to the target market can significantly improve load times.
- Network infrastructure:
- Variations in regional internet infrastructure can affect performance.
- Regions with well-developed fiber optic networks will naturally experience faster load times compared to those relying on older technologies like ADSL.
- Bandwidth availability:
- The available bandwidth, especially during peak usage times, can impact the load times.
- Providers need to account for peak time congestion and optimize their games accordingly.
- Device compatibility:
- Ensuring that games are compatible with a wide range of devices is crucial.
- Different devices may have varying capacities to handle game files, affecting load times.
Extreme load times may degrade player trust
From the data, it’s evident that the performance of iGaming providers fluctuates, with load times varying significantly across different regions due to a large range of factors. For instance, BGaming in the Philippines experienced an exceptionally long load time of 346.47 seconds, highlighting the need for continuous performance optimization. Such disparities underscore the necessity for long-term crowdtesting and monitoring by real testers to ensure that slot games remain smooth and fast, thereby guaranteeing a great user experience.
Load time disparity across Asian countries
- Load times vary significantly across different Asian countries due to factors such as internet infrastructure, device performance, and user preferences.
- The top 4 countries (South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand) all had average loading times of less than 20 seconds.
- 5th place and 6th place (India and the Philippines) still had respectable load times in the 20-30 second range.
- 7th and 8th place (Malaysia and Vietnam) show significant lag behind the rest, with average load times of 35.75 and 57.85 seconds, respectively.
Top and bottom performers among providers:
- Hacksaw and Spinomenal emerge as top performers, consistently ranking within the top 10 across all eight tested countries.
- Betsoft, while present in the top 10 in five countries, exhibits slower load times in three of them, with an average load time of 34.98 seconds.
Recommendations for providers and operators
Optimize load times for specific markets:
- Tailor slot game software optimizations according to the internet infrastructure and user preferences of each target market.
- Conduct thorough research on internet speeds, device performance, and user behavior to implement effective load time optimizations.
Invest in CDNs:
- Deploy regional CDNs to improve content delivery and reduce latency, especially in markets with diverse geographical landscapes like Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Utilize CDNs to ensure consistent and fast load times across different regions within a country.
Implement adaptive technologies:
- Employ adaptive technologies to optimize player experiences and shorten load times, especially in markets with high user expectations like South Korea and Japan.
- For slower-loading countries, adaptive technologies can help distinguish providers that put effort toward target-market optimizations.
- Dynamically adjust game asset resolution and download priorities based on internet conditions to enhance user experience.
Continuous testing and feedback loop:
- Regularly test slot game performance across different markets and gather feedback from players to identify areas for improvement.
- Collaborate with third-party testing services like TESTA to conduct comprehensive benchmarking and receive actionable insights for optimization.
Compliance with regulatory requirements:
- Ensure compliance with local regulatory frameworks and iGaming laws in each market to avoid legal risks and maintain a positive reputation.
- Stay informed about changes by working with local culture and norm-aware partners like TESTA to understand regulatory policies and adapt slot game offerings and operations accordingly to mitigate compliance risks.
The future of slot game software in Asia
As mobile devices continue to dominate the Asian gaming landscape, slot game providers have geared up and deliver optimized experiences tailored specifically for each regional market.
Asian slot themes continue to evolve, drawing inspiration from local mythology, folklore, and pop culture to create immersive experiences that resonate with regional tastes.
But performance still counts because seamless UX is expected. Players everywhere will prioritize easy navigation and lightning-fast loading times.
If you are interested in getting detailed market insights or customized solutions related to slots or anything else to do with testing your iGaming business, get in touch.
- Contact us: Experience first-hand how TESTA’s crowdtesting can benefit your iGaming operations.
- Find us on LinkedIn: Share the insights you’ve gained from TESTA’s analysis across the industry.
- Read more articles: Stay informed about the latest trends and benchmarks in iGaming.
About the author
Ian McKinnon
TESTA Head of Marketing