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Gambling industry of Austria in the scope of coronavirus

Published

6 years ago

March 19, 2020

Zoltan Tundik

General information about the current state of the Austrian gaming industry as related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gambling industry of Austria in the scope of coronavirus: what awaits the locals?

What started out as a contained threat somewhere in East Asia – turned out to be a world-wide threat. What we’re talking about, of course, is the coronavirus pandemic that caught the world’s attention. Practically everyone and everything is affected – even the gaming industry has experienced a serious impact. If you’re a visitor of some of the most popular online casinos in Austria, then you too may have some questions about how exactly the gambling industry is affected by the coronavirus. Read the rest of this article to find out.

The effects of Coronavirus on the gaming industry in Austria

It’s still too early to measure the full extent of the coronavirus impact on the Austrian gaming industry – especially given the fact that the pandemic still rages all around the world. But it’s safe to say that land-based casinos have gotten their fair share of profit-loss since the pandemic came out.

Namely, the Austrian authorities have implemented strict measures and now the Austrian casinos are closed. This includes all twelve of the Austrian Casinos that are spread all over the cities in Austria (from Baden to Zell am See).

It’s easy to see why this is the case. In extreme cases, there were even curfew measures introduced by the governments of the severely-affected countries. This means that people are still forced to stay at home until the pandemic gets cleared out – and it follows that they can’t go to the land-based casinos. But also – people are not much in the mood of visiting the online casinos, either.

So, Ute Schreiner, CMO & Product Adviser at CasinoNow Austria Portal, comments the following:

“The gambling industry is a long-term story. Keep calm – we work as usual and continue to review the most popular online casinos in Austria. The current situation is challenging, and online casinos will offer various tasty bonuses to visitors, striving to attract the newcomers and do everything to keep old players.”

How does the future look?

If you follow the news (I bet you do), then chances are that you have seen that the epidemic in East Asia has begun to subside. As more and more of the European countries – Austria included – begin to implement draconic measures to protect the people from the coronavirus – the situation is likely to be under control in the near future.

And this means that the economy will get back to normal – and people will start earning money once again, which, in turn means that the casinos will start to get more and more visitors in the near future. In an optimistic scenario – all of the casinos will reopen and the gaming industry in Austria will return to normal in the end of April 2020.

For now, suffice it to know that people are generally safe when they are in their homes. And if you have access to the internet – then this means that you can still enjoy playing your favorite gambling games – all from the safety of your home.

Online gaming

As it was mentioned by the local industry’s expert – the owners of the online casinos are doing their best to attract new customers and retain their old ones. Given the fact that people are, for the most part, afraid for their lives – it’s easy to see why they aren’t particularly inclined to do online gaming, among other things.

So, in our estimate, in the next six months the owners of online casinos will have to work extra hard to give the players an incentive to play. So, you can expect that there will be newer and bigger bonuses for the new players – in the form of deposit match and free spins. There will also be many other bonuses dedicated to capturing the attention of the current players. This is all good news – the players such as yourself will have an even bigger incentive to use the online casinos until the coronavirus pandemic is finally contained.

In conclusion

Whatever happens, we sincerely hope that the coronavirus pandemic will subside as soon as possible. There are indications that show that exactly this is the case – the number of people that are getting infected is getting reduced in various parts around the world. And, with the implementation of strict measures across the Europe, this trend is likely to continue.

Either way, you can still enjoy playing online gaming games in the relative safety of your home – and the new bonus offers will serve to attract your attention even more. The situation is pretty bad at the moment in terms of eGaming, but as soon as the pandemic stops – the Austrian casinos and eSports industry will start working its way towards full recovery.

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Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends

Published

21 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

weekend-reels-|-week-30:-slot-drops-&-trends

Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming

Spinomenal has released 3 Fuego Chillies, a new 5×3 video slot themed around a Mexican street fiesta. The game ships with a feature-led Bonus Game and a top prize billed as a Grand Jackpot of x3,000 the total bet.

CT Interactive has released its latest slot game, 40 Mega Star. As the night sky comes alive with countless shimmering lights, only a select few stars have the power to capture attention and become true Mega Stars.

TaDa Gaming has expanded its popular Unlimited Fortune mechanic with the launch of Joker Coins Unlimited Fortune. Combining Lock & Respin, progressive bonus expansion, jackpots, multipliers and the signature Unlimited Fortune feature, this compact three-reel release delivers layered gameplay and win potential of up to 5000x.

Blueprint Gaming is releasing an upgraded version of Super Graphics Upside Down exclusively on Lottomart, giving Lottomart’s UK players early access to the title. Originally launched in 2021, Super Graphics Upside Down is being re-released with a new bonus wheel feature and an increased max win potential, rising from 250X to 3000X, according to the companies.

ICONIC21 has released Wild Gold Mine 2, a high-volatility sequel to its Wild Gold Mine slot. The game is played across 243 ways and launches with multiple RTP configurations, with a stated top prize of 10,000x.

Games Global has launched Rumble Kong CASHINGO, a new jungle-themed online slot developed with exclusive studio partner Alchemy Gaming. The title went live on 23rd July 2026. Rumble Kong CASHINGO is a 5×5, 3,125 ways-to-win game built around an expanding CASHINGO collection grid.

Swintt has released a new slot from its Elysium Studios label, titled Odyssey Hold & Win. The supplier said the game is built around a Hold & Win collection mechanic and features a stated maximum win of 3,317x. Odyssey Hold & Win runs on a 4×4 grid that can expand to 4×8 when Athena appears, according to the company.

ELA Games has released a new slot, Age of Cleopatra, adding another ancient-Egypt theme title to its portfolio. The studio positions the game as a medium-volatility release and says it is available to demo now. Age of Cleopatra runs on a 5×3 reel set-up with 25 paylines.

Endorphina has launched Zalatar, a new myths-and-legends themed online slot, expanding its recent run of fantasy-leaning releases. The supplier said Zalatar is a 5-reel, 3-row game with 25 fixed paylines, 96.03% RTP and high volatility.

The post Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Awards

Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers

Published

23 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

slotsoo-awards-2026-celebrate-the-best-casinos-and-game-providers

Slotsoo is proud to announce the winners of the Slotsoo Awards 2026, recognising the online casinos and game providers that have delivered the best player experiences over the past year. Now firmly established as an annual celebration of excellence, the awards continue to recognise the companies setting new standards for quality and innovation across the iGaming industry.

Spotlighting the Best Game Providers of 2026

Following last year’s successful debut, the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards returned for a second year to recognise the studios pushing online slots forward through original ideas, engaging gameplay, and consistently high-quality releases. This year’s winners are:

The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
Bonus Buyer – Eurasian Gaming
Volatility Virtuoso – 1spin4win
Jackpot Jumbo – Platipus Gaming
Symphony Spinner – Peter & Sons
Reel Renegade – TaDa Gaming
Promising Prodigy – EXCO Game Studio

Pragmatic Play retained the prestigious Machine MVP award for a second consecutive year, while every other category crowned a new winner, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent and new ideas among game providers.

Casino Awards Return for a Fourth Year

Since their debut in 2023, the Slotsoo Casino Awards have celebrated the operators raising the standard for online casino experiences. This year’s winners continue that tradition, earning recognition for excellence across bonuses, withdrawals, gamification, and overall quality. The seven winners for 2026 are:

The Gambling GOAT – Lunar Spins
The Bonus Buff – Go4Casino
The Loyalty Lord – Valhalla Wins
The Withdrawal Wizard – Taste Vegas
The Gamification Guru – Lucky Fuel
The Payout Professor – Stupid Casino
The Noisy Newcomer – Kudos Bet

While the Game Provider Awards saw several first-time winners, the Casino Awards reflected the continued strength of a few established operators. C24 Partners enjoyed a particularly successful year, with four awards going to brands from its portfolio, including the main trophy The Gambling GOAT.

Recognition That Goes Beyond Popularity

Unlike many industry awards, the Slotsoo Awards are not decided by public voting. Winners are selected by the Slotsoo team after evaluating casino operators and game providers throughout the year. Each nominee is assessed on factors such as player value and innovation.

This approach ensures that both established industry leaders and ambitious newcomers have an equal opportunity to be recognised. Whether it’s a casino redefining loyalty rewards or a game studio introducing fresh mechanics, the awards highlight companies that genuinely move the industry forward.

Other News from Slotsoo.com This Summer

The Slotsoo Awards weren’t the only milestone for the company this summer. In June, the team attended the HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics Gaming Conference in Tallinn, connecting with industry professionals, exploring the latest developments in iGaming, and returning home with plenty of inspiration.

July marked the publication of Slotsoo’s first book, The Casino Player’s ABC, written by Markus Björk, Head of Content. This tongue-in-cheek ABC book for adults takes a humorous look at the ups and downs in slot gaming. Markus Björk comments:

“The awards and the book may seem like very different projects, but they share the same goal. Both are about celebrating what makes this industry unique and helping players navigate it with a sense of humour.”

With another successful awards season, the publication of their first book, and an active presence at industry events, 2026 has been one of Slotsoo’s busiest and most exciting years to date.

The post Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETBY

BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth

Published

23 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-builds-on-a-strong-start-to-2026-with-solid-h1-sportsbook-growth

BETBY, the Tier 1 sportsbook supplier, has continued its strong start to 2026, delivering solid year-on-year growth across its business during the first half of the year. Building on the positive Q1 results reported in April, the supplier’s performance was supported by continued market expansion, product innovation, and strong activity across its operator partnerships.

During the first half of 2026, BETBY’s sportsbook Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 42.7% compared to H1 2025. The number of active players across the provider’s partner network grew by 47%, while the total number of bets placed rose by 21.2%, reflecting sustained growth across both new and existing operator partnerships.

The period also saw BETBY further expand its product ecosystem through several key launches and developments. Among them was BETBY Predictions, the industry’s first fixed-odds prediction markets feed, opening a new betting vertical for operators. The supplier also introduced Stories, an engagement feature built around a familiar, interactive content format and delivered directly within the sportsbook experience.

The FIFA World Cup provided an additional boost during the last three weeks of June, generating high levels of betting activity across BETBY’s partner network and demonstrating the scalability and reliability of its sportsbook during the world’s largest sporting event.

BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, also delivered continued growth during H1 2026, recording a 28% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue. Active players grew by 46%, while the number of bets placed rose by 14.8%. These figures reinforce Betby Games’ importance within BETBY’s broader product portfolio.

Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, said: “After a strong first quarter, we are pleased to see that the positive trend continued throughout the first half of the year. These results reflect the strength of our long-term strategy, combining continued market expansion with a clear focus on product innovation and helping our partners grow.

“The launch of products such as BETBY Predictions and features like Stories, alongside the continued evolution of Betby Games, demonstrate our commitment to delivering solutions and technology that create measurable value for operators. We are proud of what we have achieved so far this year and remain focused on continuing this progress throughout H2.”

The post BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.