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Betting Brands may Shift Focus from Sports to Casino Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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COVID-19 has shaken up the world. No one and no business has been left unaffected by the virus, and that includes the betting industry. Land-based casino and betting shops have especially felt the impact of the novel coronavirus, which has forced these establishments to close to help stop the spread of the disease. Even the biggest sports betting brands in the UK have suffered online and offline from the widescale suspension, postponement or cancellation of major sporting events.

There’s no question that as far as the gambling industry is concerned, brick and mortar betting shops and casinos have taken the hardest hit, with one of the worst cases being in Nevada, which shut down every casino on its famous Las Vegas strip back in mid-March. Nevada depends on tourism more than any other U.S. state and is used to catering to tens of millions of visitors annually. Unemployment rates are expected to go up by a minimum of 30% in the state, according to the Nevada Resort Association. This has left many to wonder and worry if Vegas’ big names like Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts, and Sand Crop. will survive the virus’ economic impact, even with help from the financial relief plan.

That said, the closures caused by the coronavirus have been felt across the industry. For instance, the impact on big groups like GVC has resulted in the company taking steps to do what it can to alleviate the strain that has been placed on its operations. Like other companies, GVC has been working hard to lower costs and re-prioritize activity to preserve free cash while making sure its customers continue to be able to enjoy great experiences. Among these re-prioritisations has been reducing the amount spent on sports content, online sports marketing, and trading costs.

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Even online Sportsbook is not Immune to Coronavirus

Naturally, the online gambling industry has a massive advantage over its land-based counterparts. No one needs to social distance online and gambling can be enjoyed safely from home 24/7 via a computer or mobile, whether one is self-isolating or in full quarantine. However, in spite of this fact, online sportsbooks continue to find it a challenge to make the most of the internet advantage.

With no active mainstream sports, online bookies have been forced to fill the void with more emphasis on the virtual world of sports, including animated versions of major horse races like the Grand National, which was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virtual Grand National, like other virtual races, was a computer-simulated race. It included virtual spectators and virtual ambulances that followed the runners and riders around the courses.

Beyond virtual sports, digital bookmakers have also placed greater focus on eSports as well as other lesser known events. Still, even with the focus on these other events, all online bookmakers have seen a dramatic decline in depositors and increased churn rates because it is simply far too difficult to retain players when the major sports betting markets are at a standstill.

Many of the big name gambling operators have watched the value of their shares suffer from the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of these include:

  • William Hill shares have dropped by more than half since the 21st of February 2020
  • GVC Holdings (owner of Ladbrokes Coral) has seen a drop in share prices by more than 20%
  • Flutter Entertainment (owner of Paddy Power Betfair) has seen its share value tank by over 15%

Sportsbooks May Shift their Focus to Online Casinos

Online casinos, which offer online slots, virtual table, and card games, scratch cards, live casino games, etc. are in much better shape than their sportsbook cousins and that’s because they don’t depend on sports or other major events to continue carrying on with business as usual.

As such, many bookies that also offer a casino platform may consider cross-selling their online casino products to their existing sports betting customers in an attempt to recoup some of the money they’ve lost. This tactic could work as bored housebound punters, who previously focused solely on sports, can be keener to engage in casino entertainment until they can bet on their favorite football matches or horse races again.

Since March, COVID-19 has shut down most economies and sent more than a billion people into lockdown. Like many other businesses considered non-essential, land-based gambling establishments have closed their doors until the outbreak and restrictions ease. While only time will tell how well gambling operators will fare once the worst of the pandemic has run its course, for now, all they can do is focus on their online operations and survive as best they can. For some, online casinos could potentially provide the life raft they need to stay afloat.

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1spin4win welcomes the football season with a brand-new release, Lucky Goal

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1spin4win, an established classic online slot provider, presents Lucky Goal, a sports-themed game that captures the atmosphere of a major football competition.

The latest release transports players to the night of the big final. In Lucky Goal, the stakes are higher than ever — the outcome of the game will decide who takes the 1spin4win Cup home. Taking the role of the team’s star striker, players enter the 4×4 pitch to lead the attack and chase winning combinations worth up to x1500 of the original bet.

When the match starts heading towards a draw, Coins can turn the score around. Once three or more of them appear on the reels in one spin, their values combine to boost the payout and bring the team one step closer to victory.

The storytelling behind Lucky Goal is supported by a vibrant, themed visual design. The game is set against the backdrop of a crowded, neon-lit football stadium, while the 4×4 layout features symbols closely associated with the sport, including a football, goalkeeper gloves, a referee’s whistle, and the 1spin4win Cup itself. The music further enhances the atmosphere, resembling iconic football anthems.

In addition to its rich visuals and engaging gameplay, the new release delivers fast load times and uninterrupted performance across all devices, even on weaker internet connections. For the convenience of a broad international audience, Lucky Goal also supports multiple fiat and cryptocurrencies.

The focus on accessible, high-performing content is part of 1spin4win’s broader approach to global growth. Today, the provider continues to expand its network of over 1,000 partners, working with renowned iGaming brands such as STAKE.MX, 1win, LevelUP, BitStarz, gg.bet, WinSpirit, mBit, Pin-Up, 1xBet, PlayAmo, and others.

Olga Bogdanova, Art Director at 1spin4win, “For us, Lucky Goal is an exciting project, as it marks our first sports-inspired release. We wanted to keep the slot true to 1spin4win’s signature style, with straightforward gameplay and a strong math model, while bringing more life to the theme through animation and sound effects. We’re happy to join the football season with a release that helps players immerse themselves in the high-spirited atmosphere of a major sports event.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

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Altenar Named Sportsbook Supplier of the Year at SBC Americas Awards 2026

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Leading sportsbook platform Altenar has been named ‘Sportsbook Supplier of the Year’ at the SBC Americas Awards 2026, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The award recognises Altenar’s continued commitment to delivering high-performance sportsbook technology that enables operators to grow across the diverse and rapidly evolving regulated markets of the Americas.

Bringing together stakeholders from North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, the SBC Americas Awards celebrate excellence across the betting and gaming industry, recognising operators and suppliers that are driving innovation and raising industry standards throughout the region.

The latest recognition reinforces Altenar’s position as one of the industry’s leading sportsbook providers, trusted by operators across multiple regulated jurisdictions for its flexible, scalable and data-driven solutions.

The award comes during a period of significant momentum for the company in the Americas.

Earlier this week, Altenar announced that it had received approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), enabling the company to provide sportsbook solutions in Alberta ahead of the launch of the province’s regulated online gaming market.

Charlie Williams Commercial Director at Altenar, said:

“Winning ‘Sportsbook Supplier of the Year’ is a tremendous achievement for our entire team. The Americas have become one of the most dynamic and strategically important regions for our business, with opportunities emerging across both established and newly-regulated markets.

“What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it reflects the work we are doing across the entire region. From North America to Latin America, operators are looking for technology partners that can provide flexibility, reliability and local expertise. Our focus remains on helping them succeed with sportsbook solutions that are tailored to their specific commercial and regulatory requirements”.

Through its award-winning platform and continued investment across the region, Altenar is helping operators unlock sustainable growth and capitalise on the significant opportunities emerging throughout the Americas.

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BetConstruct AI sets Peru Gaming Show 2026 showcase around live World Cup betting

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BetConstruct AI will exhibit at Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026 on June 17–18 in Lima, Peru, at Stand N.56.

The company is framing its presence around real-time operator execution during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which it says will already be underway when the show opens. BetConstruct AI said it will demonstrate “tournament-ready solutions” including Special Bets for live market management and Bet on League for tournament deployment without development work.

BetConstruct AI also plans to show its wider AI Suite, listing CRM AI, Umbrella AI, AI Game Recommendation System, and Betting Mate AI. The company said these tools target churn prediction, unified risk management, personalised casino experiences, and conversational sportsbook engagement.

On platform scale, BetConstruct AI cited “140,000+ pre-match events and 90,000+ live matches monthly,” plus “45,000+ casino games from 350+ providers via a single API.” It also referenced its Affigates Affiliate Ecosystem, which it said includes “7,000+ vetted affiliates and AI-based scoring.”

The company added: “New partners unlock exclusive commercial terms on setup!”

The post BetConstruct AI sets Peru Gaming Show 2026 showcase around live World Cup betting appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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