The convergence of traditional and social casino has been mentioned for as long as the social vertical has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in online gaming. For Samer Ragheb, marketing director at development studio Plumbee, there are some synergies between the two but they remain distinct, which is why a hybrid approach works so well for his company.    

As the new year gets underway, it is a good time to reflect on how the industry will look in 2014, a year that will shape even further winners and losers in this exciting arena. For Vicenç Martí, chief executive of Akamon Entertainment, the social casino space will continue to drive strong growth but should also look beyond the English-speaking markets.