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

Published

6 years ago

April 14, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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.

Photo source: Shutterstock

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.

betting terminals

Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

meridianbet-completes-fairbet-acquisition,-expanding-malta-retail-gaming-network-under-golden-matrix-group

Meridianbet, a leading global sports betting and gaming operator and a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has completed the acquisition of Fairbet Ltd., a licensed retail gaming operator in Malta.

The transaction significantly expands Meridianbet’s physical retail footprint in one of Europe’s most tightly regulated gaming jurisdictions.

Fairbet operates under Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license B2C/195/2011, and the acquisition grants Meridianbet 100% ownership of Fairbet’s retail operations across Malta and Gozo, the archipelago’s second-largest island. The deal expands Meridianbet’s presence beyond its existing locations and further consolidates its position within the Maltese retail gaming market.

As part of the transaction, nine additional retail locations will be integrated into the Meridianbet network, increasing the company’s total number of storefronts in Malta to 20. The enlarged retail estate is expected to operate more than 60 sports betting terminals and over 120 slot machines, significantly boosting Meridianbet’s land-based gaming capacity.

The companies’ previous technology partnership will now transition into full operational integration, with Meridianbet assuming complete operational control of Fairbet’s retail network. All locations will be rebranded under the Meridianbet name, ensuring unified technology, compliance, and customer experience across the portfolio.

Malta’s retail gaming sector is governed by one of the most restrictive regulatory frameworks in Europe, with only three licensed operators permitted to operate retail betting locations: Meridianbet, Izibet (the National Lottery operator), and Fairbet. With Fairbet now wholly owned by Meridianbet, the company effectively controls two of the three retail gaming licenses in the jurisdiction.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) enforces strict licensing criteria, substantial capital requirements, and rigorous compliance standards that create significant barriers to market entry. These conditions limit competition and create long-term scarcity value for licensed operators that meet the regulatory threshold.

“Completing the acquisition of Fairbet strengthens our position in a market where regulatory barriers create inherent scarcity value,” said Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet. “This transaction allows us to expand our retail infrastructure in Malta, while our technology now supports the majority of licensed retail gaming in the country. It reflects our disciplined M&A strategy, targeting high-barrier markets where limited licensing creates durable competitive advantages.”

The Fairbet acquisition aligns with Meridianbet’s broader growth strategy, which combines organic expansion with selective mergers and acquisitions in jurisdictions where regulation encourages consolidation. Malta has been a core operational hub for Meridianbet since 2008, with the company ranking among the country’s originally licensed gaming operators during the early development of the MGA framework.

Malta’s gaming industry benefits from a regulatory regime widely regarded as one of Europe’s most credible. The MGA’s oversight framework emphasizes investor protection, technical compliance, and financial stability, positioning Malta-licensed operators for trust and recognition across international markets.

Meridianbet’s expanded retail footprint across Malta and Gozo enhances its ability to serve both local customers and the island nation’s strong tourism sector. According to Malta’s National Statistics Office, tourist arrivals exceeded three million visitors in 2024, reinforcing the strategic value of a broad, well-positioned retail gaming network

The post Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Atlaslive

Atlaslive Reaches Final Shortlist for Best Live Platform Provider at SiGMA Eurasia 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

atlaslive-reaches-final-shortlist-for-best-live-platform-provider-at-sigma-eurasia-2026

Atlaslive, a provider of B2B iGaming platform technology, has earned a place on the shortlist for the BEST LIVE PLATFORM PROVIDER 2026 category at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards 2026.

The SiGMA Eurasia Awards spotlight excellence across the iGaming, affiliate, and online entertainment industries, honoring companies and solutions that drive innovation, sustainable growth, and measurable impact. The shortlist is announced as part of the SiGMA Eurasia Summit, taking place February 9–11, 2026, at Dubai Festival City in the United Arab Emirates.

“Platform performance is measured in milliseconds, uptime, and player trust. Being shortlisted in this category reflects the technical discipline and delivery standards our teams bring to operators every day.”
—Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive

Partners, supporters, and members of the community can participate in the awards process through public voting by submitting their support using the following form:
https://share.hsforms.com/11aCinm5wS92yCSiAtXDGUg3s9oo

Taking place during summit week, the awards ceremonies create a key moment for industry professionals to connect, share insights, and celebrate innovation at one of the year’s most prominent gaming events.

About Atlaslive

Atlaslive delivers flexible, scalable iGaming platform technology to operators in regulated markets. Focused on performance, reliability, and continuous product development, Atlaslive enables sportsbook and casino operations aligned with diverse business models.

This document is provided to you for your information and discussion only. This document was based on public sources of information and was created by the Atlaslive team for marketing usage. It is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any gambling-related product. Nothing in this document constitutes legal or business development advice. This document has been prepared from sources Atlaslive believes to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and do not accept liability for any loss arising from its use. Atlaslive reserves the right to remedy any errors that may be present in this document.

About Atlaslive

Atlaslive is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.

The post Atlaslive Reaches Final Shortlist for Best Live Platform Provider at SiGMA Eurasia 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Atlaslive

Atlaslive Reaches Final Shortlist for Best Live Platform Provider at SiGMA Eurasia 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Atlaslive, a provider of B2B iGaming platform technology, has earned a place on the shortlist for the BEST LIVE PLATFORM PROVIDER 2026 category at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards 2026.