Central Europe
Bundesliga International and Sportradar Announce Long-Term Extension of Exclusive Partnership
![bundesliga-international-and-sportradar-announce-long-term-extension-of-exclusive-partnership](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/133240-bundesliga-international-and-sportradar-announce-long-term-extension-of-exclusive-partnership.jpg)
Bundesliga International, a subsidiary of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, and Sportradar announced the extension and expansion of their global partnership for an additional six years, through to the end of the 2031-32 season. Over the course of the extended agreement, the two parties will collaborate on bringing to market innovative data and audiovisual products that enhance the offering for fans around the world.
The current partnership was scheduled to conclude at the end of the 2025-26 season. However, with this early renewal, Sportradar receives the rights to:
- Sublicence video content from Germany’s top two divisions to its global network of sportsbook clients;
- Collect and exclusively distribute live match data for betting purposes, collaborating with Bundesliga and its stakeholders on an aligned approach for media data (from the start of the 2025-26 season);
- Provide betting and streaming rights for all matches in the WOW Virtual Bundesliga, the DFL’s esports offering;
- Expand the product and enhance the scope of Sportradar’s Virtual Sports Bundesliga, the company’s one of a kind interactive gaming experience;
- Further combat match-fixing, with the inclusion of education and prevention services, in addition to the existing bet monitoring through Sportradar’s Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), reinforcing both partners’ commitment to integrity.
This extended agreement continues Sportradar’s status as the official provider of betting and streaming rights for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 (outside of the DACH region) and includes other DFL properties such as the German Supercup and each season’s relegation playoff matches. It also enhances Sportradar’s position to collect and distribute official data.
As two leaders in the advancement of sports technology, innovation is a key pillar of the partnership. Both parties are committed to developing exciting new products and services to engage the market and create immersive experiences for sports fans across the globe.
Peer Naubert, Chief Marketing Officer of Bundesliga International, said: “The Bundesliga has long been regarded globally as a frontrunner when it comes to cutting edge innovation, and our long-term partnership with Sportradar continues to reflect this. From the start, we have been aligned in pushing the boundaries of technology for the benefit of the fan, and this early prolongation, which by the end will take us to more than 25 years of collaboration, is an outcome of the trust and excitement we share for the future.”
Moritz Gloeckler, SVP of Rights and Strategic Projects at Sportradar, said: “We are the ideal partner to work with the Bundesliga in widening and deepening their fan base through the development of new AV and data-driven products, using the latest technologies such as augmented streaming and AI. This agreement aligns with our broader strategy to selectively invest in long term rights across key global sports which enable the continued innovation and enhancement of our offerings for our clients. We look forward to many years of partnering with the Bundesliga to redefine the soccer fan experience.”
Central Europe
Buying Games as Downloads is More Popular Than Ever in Germany
![buying-games-as-downloads-is-more-popular-than-ever-in-germany](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/138674-buying-games-as-downloads-is-more-popular-than-ever-in-germany.jpg)
The share of PC and console games purchased as downloads in Germany climbed to 60% for the first time in 2023, meaning that download purchases have remained at the same high level they reached during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Back then, the share of downloads jumped from 45 to 58%. These figures were published by game – The German Games Industry Association, in cooperation with market research company CPS GfK. A closer look at the individual gaming platforms, though, shows there are huge differences between them. Download purchases are most popular among PC players; these days, they buy nearly all of their games – 98% – as downloads. Last year, that figure was already 97%. Consoles are a different story, though. Most console players prefer to buy games on physical media. The majority of console games – 60% – are still purchased as physical media, even though that figure has dropped by 3% points compared to last year.
The way in which video game players purchase games is also a question of age. The younger generation of players in Germany overwhelmingly opt for downloads. And this trend is particularly strong among players between the ages of 20 and 29: they buy more than 7 out of 10 PC or console games (71%) in this format. But these days, growing numbers of older players are starting to prefer downloads, as well. Among 50- to 59-year-olds, approximately 6 out of 10 games (59%) are purchased as downloads; last year, this group bought about 53% of their games on physical media. Physical copies are most popular among the over-60s. In 2023, they bought more than half their games (53%) on physical media. However, this figure also represented a decline of 12% points in sales of physical media among this group.
“We’re seeing a clear trend: downloads are becoming an established way of buying games, and their share of the games market is continually increasing, even though that growth has slowed a bit since the pandemic. For many people, downloads are a quick and convenient way to buy games. Last year, a number of big blockbuster games, like ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and ‘Alan Wake II’, were initially released as digital exclusives. Plenty of successful indie games have been download-only for ages, as well. All these factors have given the popularity of downloads a massive boost. But how games are purchased still varies according to the age of the player and the type of platform. Video game players primarily buy their console games on physical media, to get the limited editions and fan merchandise that come with them, or to ensure that they always have a copy of the game in their collection,” Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, said.
The post Buying Games as Downloads is More Popular Than Ever in Germany appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Slower workforce growth and fewer new companies: the upward trend in the German games industry is weakening
![slower-workforce-growth-and-fewer-new-companies:-the-upward-trend-in-the-german-games-industry-is-weakening](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/138562-slower-workforce-growth-and-fewer-new-companies-the-upward-trend-in-the-german-games-industry-is-weakening.jpg)
The post Slower workforce growth and fewer new companies: the upward trend in the German games industry is weakening appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
OKTO.CASH expands in Germany with bet-at-home go-live
![okto.cash-expands-in-germany-with-bet-at-home-go-live](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/138270-okto-cash-expands-in-germany-with-bet-at-home-go-live.png)
OKTO announced the launch of its advanced cash-to-digital payment solution, OKTO.CASH with bet-at-home, a renowned and established operator in the German iGaming market. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for OKTO, expanding its footprint in Germany and further solidifying its reputation as an innovator in cash-to-digital solutions for iGaming enthusiasts.
OKTO.CASH offers bet-at-home users a hassle-free way to consume iGaming services with cash in real-time. Leveraging OKTO‘s always growing network of over 14,000 points of sale across Germany, including well-known brands such as Aral, Deutsche Post, Esso, Kiosk, Lotto, Shell, and many others, users can effortlessly convert physical cash into digital currency. This streamlined process provides a secure, fast, and easy-to-use top-up method that caters to the preferences of the market.
Richard Greslehner, Head of Product at bet-at-home Internet Ltd commented: “This partnership underscores our dedication to delivering cutting-edge and convenient payment solutions for our customers. With OKTO.CASH, users can now seamlessly deposit their physical cash into their online bet-at-home accounts at their favourite everyday stores.”
“We are thrilled to partner with bet-at-Home for the launch of OKTO.CASH in Germany,” said Mikhail Ovsepyan, Head of Germany at OKTO. “This collaboration underlines our dedication to expanding our presence in the German market and delivering cutting-edge payment solutions that meet the needs of iGaming enthusiasts. We look forward to revolutionizing the gaming payment experience and providing unparalleled convenience and security to users.”
OKTO‘s expansion in the German region follows the approval of both OKTO.WALLET and OKTO.CASH by the German Gaming License Authority (GGL) last year. Embedded into the merchant’s app or website, OKTO.CASH provides users with the fastest and most direct method to upload cash online, eliminating the need for third-party apps. Users can select OKTO.CASH as their payment method, choose the deposit amount, and select the nearest location from over 14,000 points to top up their accounts safely and in real-time.
The post OKTO.CASH expands in Germany with bet-at-home go-live appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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