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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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Adam Lamentowicz

Bragg Powers Super Technologies’ Entry into Greece with RGS and Aggregation Offering

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Bragg Gaming Group announced its role in supporting Super Technologies’ successful launch in the regulated Greek market through its flagship brand, Superbet, marking a significant milestone in Bragg’s ongoing global expansion strategy.

Through this partnership, Bragg is delivering its RGS games alongside its HUB aggregation platform, providing access to a diverse portfolio of premium 3rd party content. This includes titles from leading studio partners such as Playson, Wazdan, IGT, Synot and Spribe.

The launch represents Superbet’s official entry into Greece, one of Europe’s most mature and well-regulated iGaming markets, and further strengthens Bragg’s position as a key technology and content partner for tier-one operators expanding into new jurisdictions.

Superbet’s launch combines a “sports-first” philosophy with a compelling iGaming experience tailored to local player preferences. Over the past 12 months, Superbet has built a strong local presence in Athens, enabling a highly localised approach supported by global expertise.

This launch underscores the scalability and flexibility of Bragg’s platform, enabling rapid market entry while delivering localised, high-quality player experiences in regulated environments.

Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg Gaming Group, said: “We are delighted to support Superbet’s entry into Greece with our full suite of RGS and aggregation capabilities. As the preferred partner to Super Technologies, this launch reflects a partnership built to win.

“It highlights the strength of our technology and content ecosystem and our ability to scale in regulated markets. Greece is an exciting opportunity, and we look forward to supporting Superbet’s long-term growth in the region while continuing to power this commercial brand across multiple territories.”

Adam Lamentowicz, Chief Commercial Officer CEE at Super Technologies, said: “Every decision that we take is based on our customer-centric vision. And our partnership with Bragg serves this vision by offering the best entertainment experience to our Greek customers. Greece is a mature and thriving market, and we are confident that our product offering will have an immediate impact.”

The post Bragg Powers Super Technologies’ Entry into Greece with RGS and Aggregation Offering appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Brightstar Lottery PLC

Brightstar Lottery Achieves Highest MSCI ESG Rating of AAA

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Brightstar Lottery PLC announced that it received the highest MSCI ESG rating of AAA. This rating exemplifies Brightstar’s commitment to global sustainability leadership in managing ESG-related risks and opportunities. Brightstar received a perfect score for carbon emissions and high scores in the product safety and quality category.

“Receiving the MSCI AAA ESG rating in Brightstar’s first year as a pure-play lottery company highlights our commitment to making sustainability practices a priority throughout our business. This rating from MSCI serves as motivation to continue our work building a sustainable future where our people, our partners, and our planet can thrive,” said Wendy Montgomery, Brightstar SVP, Branding, Communications and Sustainability.

MSCI ESG Ratings measure a company’s resilience to long-term, industry-specific sustainability risks using a rules-based methodology. MSCI analysts research and rate companies on a “AAA” (leader) to “CCC” (laggard) scale based on their exposure to and management of these risks relative to peers.

MSCI Sustainability and Climate products and services are provided by MSCI Solutions LLC and certain related entities, and are designed to provide in-depth research, ratings and analysis of environmental, social and governance related business practices to companies worldwide. ESG ratings, data and analysis from MSCI Sustainability and Climate are also used in the construction of MSCI Indexes.

The post Brightstar Lottery Achieves Highest MSCI ESG Rating of AAA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Springbok Casino Presents “Wild Galaxy Month” with 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots

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This May, SpringbokCasino.co.za celebrates Star Wars Day with Wild Galaxy Month, a cosmic new feature reimagining the savanna’s creatures as space-faring legends. May the 4th be with you and your 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots slot, available all month.

In Wild Galaxy Month, Springbok Casino compares five famous character types from the classic space-opera world to South African animals that carry the same energy in the bush. From bold young lions to wise old tortoises, each one brings its own style to survival—and the same is true for smart slot play. Knowing when to take a risk like a lion, when to wait like a leopard, or when to play the long game like a tortoise can make all the difference between a quick spin and a legendary win!

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Yodust the tortoise and the wisdom of slow power – Patience wins the longest war. The strongest moves are the slowest.

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Prosperity Pots: Lucky Coins from RTG transports players to a vibrant, golden-hued world of oriental charm, featuring 25 paylines, Wilds, Scatters and a random Lucky Coin Feature that unlocks multipliers or instant cash prizes.

The post Springbok Casino Presents “Wild Galaxy Month” with 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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