Industry News

When Times are Tough – Calling is Caring

Published

6 years ago

April 22, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mikael Hansson, CEO of Enteractive, says that online gambling operators can still retain players even during the global sports blackout so long as they pick up the phone and give them a call

The global online gambling industry is facing a global challenge due to the ongoing crisis with cancelled sports events and many other difficulties. This is also the time for operators to show that they really care about their customers, and with the right approach they can come out on the other side with strengthened customer relationships.

This is absolutely the case for online sportsbook operators who are struggling to fill the void left by the world-wide cancellation of matches, tournaments and events.

While online casino and poker operators are seeing a rise in the number of players visiting their brands, there are concerns being raised over responsible gambling during this time.

This has seen regulators in countries such as Spain take fairly drastic measures such as banning all gambling advertising for the duration of the country’s lockdown.

But operators – even online sports betting sites – can and should be taking additional steps to reach out to players to reassure them and to remind them about the safe gaming tools offered.

Firstly, this is absolutely the right thing to do when it comes to being a responsible operator, and secondly it is a good opportunity to show players they are valued.

Retention is going to be critical if online gambling operators are to weather the storm. Opening a direct line of communication with customers is absolutely the best way to do this.

This is certainly the case for sportsbook brands who have to think of other ways to provide entertainment and value to customers while players and teams sit idle.

Pick up the telephone and speak to customers:

The best way of communicating with players is to pick up the telephone and speak with them directly. This allows for a human connection to be made.

Over the past week, we have seen that a quick phone call just to check in is highly valued by the customer, even with no sports events being held and limited betting markets offered.

You could simply ask how the player is doing, enquire about their situation – are they working from home, what are they doing to keep busy, etc.

Remember, this is a time where a lot of people are being forced to stay indoors and not spend time meeting with family and friends.

A quick call from their favourite sportsbook brand provides the feeling of community and socialisation they are seeking and strengthens their positive feelings towards the brand.

Of course, a good conversation would also open up to talk about additional game verticals such as virtuals, poker or casino and they can remind the player about these options.

But that’s not really what this is all about – It’s about relationships.

The main reason for calling customers is to strengthen the relationship between player and brand, not to upsell them additional products and services. That has always been the reason and it does not change because of changed circumstances.

Anecdotally, online poker has enjoyed a resurgence since sports events have been cancelled and lockdowns put in place – there is a great deal of cross-over between sports and poker.

So, if the sportsbook operator also has a poker product and the person talking to a customer thinks the player would enjoy poker, it is of course ok to make them aware of it.

Naturally, if the online gambling brand is able to build a stronger relationship with the player, they are highly likely to remain loyal to the brand and an increase in revenues occurs as a result, so caring for players does indeed have an undisputable ROI.

Re-think how you communicate with players:

Given increasing restrictions regarding how online gambling operators can market to players during the crisis, there is an opportunity for operators to rethink their communication strategies.

Because they are not able to target players with bonuses and incentives during this time, they are going to have to engage with them in different ways – as mentioned above.

But many will find that this actually improves the relationship they have with their players. This in turn will drive loyalty and ultimately retention even during these uncertain times.

It really just comes down to showing players that you value them and that you truly care.

Industry News

Maintenance Worker of 25 years Hits $200,758 Jackpot on Leprechaun Luck at Winaday Casino

Published

46 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

maintenance-worker-of-25-years-hits-$200,758-jackpot-on-leprechaun-luck-at-winaday-casino

Winaday Casino is celebrating a life-changing win after long-time player Scott O., a maintenance worker of 25 years, hit a massive $200,758.55 jackpot while playing Leprechaun Luck in the early hours of January 29.

The win marks a turning point for the recently remarried father of two, who now plans to use the prize to secure his family’s future while enjoying a few well-earned comforts.

Scott was unwinding at home, playing on his tablet for around 30–40 minutes, when the unexpected happened.

“Honestly, I just froze for a second. I stared at the screen and thought, ‘There’s no way that just happened,’” he said. “Then I called my wife over because I needed someone else to see it. I was shocked, excited, and a little shaky.”

A regular player at Winaday and Slotland, Scott now plans to pay off bills, build savings, and support his two grown children with their education. He also hopes to create a backyard space where his family—and their dog—can spend more time together.

“It’s not just about the money,” he added. “It’s about making life easier and doing something meaningful for the people I care about.”

Michael Hilary, Manager at Winaday Casino, commented:

“We’re absolutely thrilled for Scott and his family. Moments like this are what players dream of, and it’s even more special when it happens to someone who genuinely enjoys the experience. His story reflects what Winaday is all about—entertainment that can sometimes lead to extraordinary outcomes.”

To celebrate the win, Winaday Casino is offering a $25 Free Chip promotion available to both new and existing players until April 30, 2026, valid on all Slotland Entertainment slots.

Promotion Details:

$25 Free Chip
Wagering requirement: 30x
Max cashout: $100
Available to new and existing players
Valid on Slotland Entertainment slots
Code: SCOTTSLUCK

Scott also shared advice for fellow players: set a budget, play for enjoyment, and know when to walk away.

“Winning felt incredible,” he said. “But what made it truly special was sharing that moment with my wife right there at home. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Winaday Casino continues to welcome players looking for their own lucky break, proving that sometimes, a simple spin can turn into a life-changing moment.

The post Maintenance Worker of 25 years Hits $200,758 Jackpot on Leprechaun Luck at Winaday Casino appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Industry News

SPAYZ.io Launches P2P Agent Dashboard for High Risk Merchant Payment Operations

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

spayz.io-launches-p2p-agent-dashboard-for-high-risk-merchant-payment-operations

SPAYZ.io has announced the launch of its new P2P Agent’s Dashboard, a centralised and automated operating system to help merchants in high‑risk industries manage agent networks, reconcile transactions and scale alternative payment methods across global markets. Built for sectors including iGaming, Forex and Crypto, the new dashboard replaces fragmented and manual workflows with a unified platform offering complete visibility and automation.

SPAYZ.io’s dashboard consolidates agent activities into a single, exportable system where transactions are recorded in real time, merchant callbacks are instant, and balances update automatically.

Unlike generic CRMs, the platform is specifically designed for P2P transactions. It automates commission calculations, reduces errors associated with manual pay‑in and pay‑out tracking and provides finance teams with a reliable and audit‑ready source of truth. Through integration with the SPAYZ.io gateway, merchants can connect agents across more than 35 markets, ensuring consistent workflows, faster GEO expansion and smoother onboarding as their P2P operations scale.

Tatjana Meluskane, CCO at SPAYZ.io, said: “P2P agent networks are essential for high‑risk merchants, but they’ve been extremely difficult to manage at scale. Our new dashboard centralises workflows, improves transparency, and removes the operational friction that limits GEO expansion and slows down growth.

“We listened to our partners and clients, took on board all of their needs, and have built this platform to give merchants complete clarity. I’m proud to say this is a market first, offering complete clarity with a new level of control and stability for businesses that rely on alternative payments.”

SPAYZ.io is also supporting merchants with round‑the‑clock operational and technical assistance, including incident management, route adjustments and customisable configurations. This ensures that payment models can be adapted quickly to market conditions without placing additional strain on merchant teams.

“The launch reinforces SPAYZ.io’s commitment to building infrastructure that supports the evolving needs of high‑risk merchants and strengthens the company’s position as a leader in local payment solutions across high‑growth regions,” Tatjana said.

The post SPAYZ.io Launches P2P Agent Dashboard for High Risk Merchant Payment Operations appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Carsten Koerl Founder and CEO of Sportradar

Sportradar Introduces Playradar, Delivering Sports-Data-Backed Casino Content to Operators Around the Globe

Published

2 days ago

March 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

sportradar-introduces-playradar,-delivering-sports-data-backed-casino-content-to-operators-around-the-globe

New brand to link sportsbook and casino experiences via exclusive hybrid content.

Sportradar Group AG, a prominent worldwide sports technology firm that develops engaging experiences for sports enthusiasts and bettors, today unveiled Playradar, a specialized brand providing a comprehensive ecosystem of interconnected gaming experiences for international operators. This signifies the subsequent phase in the development of Sportradar’s iGaming operations.

Sportradar has recently appointed Edo Haitin, the former CEO of Playtech Live, to head its iGaming division as part of this expansion. Haitin offers over 20 years of experience in iGaming operations, live casino development, and executive leadership, contributing senior-level knowledge to enhance Sportradar’s iGaming expansion.

Playradar will leverage Sportradar’s live and historical sports data and AV streams, combined with casino games, to create unique, proprietary, hybrid products featuring:

Live 24/7 Experience Centre – players will be offered a game and a live stream to watch simultaneously on the same screen, blending sports viewing and gaming for pure engagement or betting real money. This creates a community and opportunities for players to interact in real-time, sharing tips, game preferences and reactions.
Live & Historical Streaming Sports/Casino Hybrid Content – transforming real sporting moments into interactive event driven gameplay by blending live and historical sports streaming with casino mechanics to create innovative hybrid gaming experiences. A live prediction product will also be powered by Sportradar’s live data.
Premium iGaming Content – virtual sports and a full suite of casino games, from slots and table games to arcade and crash, developed to the highest standards for a positive player experience.

Sportradar is exceptionally poised to expand its iGaming operations by leveraging its current game studio, sports data knowledge, streaming abilities, and worldwide distribution network. The marketing, acquisition, and retention technologies of the company utilize profound understanding of player behavior across both betting and iGaming sectors, strengthening Sportradar’s connections with sportsbook and casino operators globally. Since most of Sportradar’s clients already function in both areas, iGaming serves as an organic pathway to foster sustained monetization and lifetime value in conjunction with betting.

Playradar will function solely in regulated markets, incorporating responsible gaming and integrity into each product it offers. Game launches are planned for 2026, starting in the UK, North America, and Latin America. The complete product lineup will include classic table games, arcade games, slots, and virtual sports.

Carsten Koerl, Founder and CEO of Sportradar, said: “iGaming represents a natural and scalable extension of our business, and a strategic acceleration of our long-term growth roadmap. Playradar content is designed to provide optimized cross-sell between the worlds of sport and casinos, helping operators to increase player value and session length at a time when engagement and retention are key to operational sustainability. In Edo, we have an experienced and proven industry leader to drive the business forward, with the support of a passionate and dedicated team.”

Edo Haitin, EVP of iGaming added: “By combining our unrivalled experience in sports data and live streaming, along with a proven track record of product development, we aim to create hybrid content and gaming experiences to capitalize on the rising popularity of sports casino consumption. We’re uniquely positioned to seamlessly blend live and historical sports events, innovative gaming mechanics, and casino content and have the advantage of being able to distribute games to an already licensed portfolio of operators. I’m incredibly excited to be further strengthening our iGaming business through Playradar and to grow it into a leader in iGaming content, leveraging Sportradar’s existing resources and the highly experienced and skilled team already in place.”

The post Sportradar Introduces Playradar, Delivering Sports-Data-Backed Casino Content to Operators Around the Globe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.