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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.

Alina Avekse Mathiasen

Tequity signs RGS deal with DELULU to power cinematic slot portfolio

Published

4 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

tequity-signs-rgs-deal-with-delulu-to-power-cinematic-slot-portfolio

Tequity, the pioneering iGaming software provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with new slot studio DELULU to provide the infrastructure for its upcoming market debut through its licensed modular Remote Gaming Server (RGS) platform.

The agreement allows DELULU to leverage Tequity’s advanced RGS to deploy titles designed to blend high-end cinematic quality with measurable performance. By utilising Tequity’s streamlined infrastructure, DELULU maintains creative control and rapid development speeds as it prepares to bring its titles to global operators.

DELULU is currently finalising development on its initial portfolio, working closely with aggregators to prepare for a full market release. Every title will feature the studio’s signature bold art direction and character-driven narratives, optimised for the modern player’s appetite for engagement and streamability.

The partnership comes during a period of rapid scaling for Tequity, which now supports 30 RGS clients and over 120 integrations across regulated markets.

The agreement, which follows on from a recent flurry of partnerships with game providers and operators, further cements Tequity’s reputation as the technical partner of choice for studios looking to bypass the friction of traditional game delivery.

Tanja Bergman, Head of Growth – RGS at Tequity, said: “DELULU is a studio that refuses to compromise. Their focus on visuals that catch the eye and math that feels right aligns perfectly with our philosophy of providing technology that does all of the heavy lifting.

“We are excited to provide the stable, high-performance environment they need to turn their creative vision into a market-leading reality.”

Alina Avekse Mathiasen, CPO at DELULU, said: “When building a studio, the crucial difference lies in how complete the platform is. With Tequity, everything from the promo toolkit to the frontend SDK works as one system and this is highly beneficical.

“It allows us to ensure our creative decisions reach the player exactly as intended. Tequity gives us the technical freedom to focus entirely on the game, ensuring our titles hit the market fast, stable, and ready to perform.”

The post Tequity signs RGS deal with DELULU to power cinematic slot portfolio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

bet365

Gaming Corps extends bet365 partnership into Brazil

Published

4 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

gaming-corps-extends-bet365-partnership-into-brazil

Gaming Corps – a publicly-listed game development company based in Sweden, has extended its partnership with bet365, taking its games live with the operator in Brazil as part of its continued expansion across regulated markets.

The launch builds on Gaming Corps’ existing relationship with bet365 and signals another important step in the studio’s wider Latin American growth strategy. The rollout has been delivered through Gaming Corps’ distribution partnership with Light & Wonder, supporting efficient market access through one of the industry’s most established content networks.

bet365 players in Brazil will gain access to Gaming Corps’ full line up, including Penalty Champion, the instant win game that puts players in a sudden-death penalty shootout where each successful strike increases the potential return. The launch also includes popular franchise titles such as 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean, while Brazilian players can also look forward to Gaming Corps’ three-game football suite arriving in time for the World Cup.

With a portfolio that stretches beyond standard slot content, Gaming Corps has focused on building games with more variety in both format and play style. Alongside proprietary concepts such as Smash4Cash, A-MAZE-CADES and X-MY-WAY, the studio also develops Mine, Table, Multiplier and Plinko games, helping operators introduce a wider mix of experiences for different types of players.

Juha Kauppinen, CEO at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 into Brazil is an exciting development for Gaming Corps and an important next step in how we grow with major operators across regulated markets. bet365 is one of the most recognised names in online gaming and expanding our reach with them into a market like Brazil underlines both the strength of the relationship and the wider appeal of our portfolio.”

A bet365 spokesperson, added: “Gaming Corps has established a clear identity within the market through a mix of creative game concepts and distinctive mechanics. We are delighted to expand our partnership with the studio into Brazil and look forward to making this content available to our players in the market.”

The post Gaming Corps extends bet365 partnership into Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Australia

Regulating the Game Rolls Out Four-Level Partnership Structure Ahead of Sydney 2027 Program

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

regulating-the-game-rolls-out-four-level-partnership-structure-ahead-of-sydney-2027-program

Regulating the Game has announced an updated partnership framework for the 2027 initiative, organized into four levels — Principal Partner, Signature Partners, Pillar Partners, and Activation Partners — aimed at providing sponsors a more defined connection with the conference, the RTG Global Awards, and the delegate experience.

The updated architecture showcases significant involvement in 2026 and mirrors the widened scope of the 2027 program, which encompasses a more extensive conference agenda and the growth of the RTG Global Awards from six to twelve categories.

Regulating the Game 2027 Sydney is scheduled for 8–10 March 2027 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, featuring the RTG Global Awards ceremony on 9 March 2027.

A more distinct connection between partner funding and program worth.Every level is designed to correspond with the delegates’ experience of the program — starting with the conference opening, through Pitch!, the main program, the Global Awards Gala Dinner, and concluding the event. The goal is to minimize overlapping propositions, enhance category positioning, and achieve partnership results that are clear, traceable, and aligned with the program’s core.

• Principal Partner — The lead partner of the Regulating the Game 2027 program, with prominence across the conference, the Global Awards and the delegate journey. Reserved as a singular position.
• Signature Partners — A small group of premium partners aligned with flagship program elements, including Pitch!, the Global Awards Gala Dinner and other headline moments of the 2027 program.
• Pillar Partners — Partners aligned with the core thematic pillars of the Regulating the Game program: regulation and policy, compliance and integrity, safer gambling, and technology and innovation.
• Activation Partners — Partners supporting specific delegate touchpoints and experiences across the program, with visibility tied to defined activations.

A maturing global program

The 2027 program builds on the trajectory established in 2026, which saw strong international participation, the inaugural RTG Global Awards and the Pitch! showcase that brought together established providers and emerging RegTech disruptors. The expanded 2027 awards program — with six new categories including Black Market Disruption Initiative, Sport & Wagering Integrity Initiative, Research Impact, Gambling Harm Prevention Campaign, Compliance Advisory and Distinguished Contribution — broadens the recognition framework across the sector.
“The 2027 architecture reflects the maturity of the Regulating the Game program — a global conference, an expanded awards program and a delegate community that spans regulators, sector leaders, technology and research across multiple jurisdictions,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and Founder of Regulating the Game.

“Partners increasingly want a clearer line of sight to value, audience and alignment. The four-tier model is designed to provide that — fewer overlapping propositions, clearer category positioning, and partnerships that map to how the program is actually experienced by delegates.”

Partner engagement now open

Partnership conversations for the 2027 program are now open. Organisations interested in any of the four tiers are invited to make contact through Regulating the Game to discuss alignment, availability and entitlements.

Event Details
Regulating the Game 2027 Sydney 8–10 March 2027 Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney, Australia
RTG Global Awards Presentation 9 March 2027

The post Regulating the Game Rolls Out Four-Level Partnership Structure Ahead of Sydney 2027 Program appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.