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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.

Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win

ICONIC21 adds Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win to its Buffalo slot series

Published

25 minutes ago

April 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-adds-buffalo-bonanza-hold-&-win-to-its-buffalo-slot-series

New release follows Buffalo Wild Collection and includes Hold & Win jackpots and a Bonus Buy option.

ICONIC21 has launched Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win, a new online slot and the second title in the supplier’s Buffalo series following Buffalo Wild Collection.

The game is set on a prairie-themed backdrop and features up to 1,024 ways to win. ICONIC21 said the Free Spin round removes lower-value symbols from the reels, leaving only higher-value symbols in play.

The slot also includes a Hold & Win mechanic triggered when gold coins land and lock. ICONIC21 said the feature builds multipliers and coin values toward one of four jackpot tiers: Mini, Minor, Major or Grand.

Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win has a maximum prize of 10,000x stake and includes a Bonus Buy option to access bonus rounds. The release adds to ICONIC21’s slots line-up alongside its live casino, virtual, instant game and RNG table game portfolios.

Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win is built around a clear idea of stripping everything back to what matters most. The game’s Free Spin round does exactly that, putting the focus on the symbols with the highest potential.

“The Hold & Win feature then adds a second layer of engagement, turning the session into something more rhythmic as multipliers accumulate, and the jackpot tiers come into play. It’s a title with real bite, and we’re confident it will perform strongly for operators seeking to add a high-impact slot to their lobby.”

The post ICONIC21 adds Buffalo Bonanza Hold & Win to its Buffalo slot series appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Booming Games

Booming Games Secures Strategic Partnership With Casino Portugal to Accelerate Growth in Southern Europe

Published

25 minutes ago

April 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

booming-games-secures-strategic-partnership-with-casino-portugal-to-accelerate-growth-in-southern-europe

Booming Games, a leading provider of premium gaming content, has announced a strategic partnership with Casino Portugal, one of the country’s most established and trusted online gaming platforms. The collaboration marks a significant step in Booming Games’ continued expansion across regulated European markets.

Through this partnership, Booming Games will integrate its portfolio of certified games into Casino Portugal’s platform, making a selection of its top-performing titles available to Portuguese players. The rollout will include popular releases such as Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 10,000 and Inferno Fortune Power Hit, alongside newer hits like Greedy for Gold Power Hit, Tasty Bonanza 10,000, Trollfufu Bonanza, and Diamond Hits Trio: InstaStrike.

Casino Portugal, operated by the renowned Estoril Sol Group, was the first licensed online casino to launch in Portugal in 2016 and has since established itself as a leader in the market. Known for its premium user experience, strong regulatory compliance, and entertainment-led approach, the brand continues to innovate through exclusive content and omnichannel engagement strategies.

The partnership reflects Booming Games’ commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant content tailored to local markets, while strengthening its footprint in Europe. As demand for engaging, innovative casino content continues to grow in Portugal, the collaboration positions both companies to capitalise on new opportunities and enhance the player experience.

Lucia Baranda, Head of Partnerships at Booming Games, said: “We are delighted to partner with Casino Portugal, a brand that stands out for its strong reputation, premium positioning, and commitment to innovation. This collaboration represents an important milestone in our European growth strategy and allows us to bring our engaging content to a wider audience in Portugal.”

Tiago Sousa, Casino Manager at Casino Portugal, said: “We are excited to welcome Booming Games to our platform. Their portfolio of high-performing and visually engaging titles aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering premium entertainment experiences to our players. We look forward to a successful partnership that will further enrich our offering.”

The post Booming Games Secures Strategic Partnership With Casino Portugal to Accelerate Growth in Southern Europe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETANO

Betano signs sponsorship deal with Argentina national football team

Published

12 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

betano-signs-sponsorship-deal-with-argentina-national-football-team

Kaizen Gaming brand becomes an Official Regional Sponsor as World Cup 2026 approaches, with campaigns planned across digital, TV and OOH.

Betano has signed a new sponsorship agreement with the Argentina National Football Team, joining as an Official Regional Sponsor, the company said on April 29, 2026.

The deal was announced from Athens, Greece and Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the Kaizen Gaming-owned sports betting and gaming brand positioning the partnership ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

According to the company, the sponsorship will include “local 360° campaigns” featuring Betano’s tagline “Confiá” across digital media, television, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising. Betano also said it plans “high-engagement activations” intended to connect fans with the team.

In the release, Kaizen Gaming framed the agreement as part of a broader strategy to invest in top-tier sports partnerships to support international brand growth and “responsible gaming experiences.” Financial terms, territories covered under the “regional” designation, and contract duration were not disclosed.

More relevant data as follows:

Betano (Kaizen Gaming) official website; https://www.betano.com/ Primary source for brand and market presence details related to Betano.
Kaizen Gaming official website; https://kaizengaming.com/ Company background and corporate announcements for Kaizen Gaming, the owner of Betano.
AFA (Argentine Football Association) official website; https://www.afa.com.ar/ Authoritative reference for Argentina national team commercial partnerships and federation announcements.
FIFA World Cup 2026; https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canada-mexico-usa2026 Official tournament page to ground the timing reference to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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