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Betting Brands may Shift Focus from Sports to Casino Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
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.
Platform pairs sportsbook simulations with a QualiBest survey on fan confidence and compares 2026 sentiment to Brazil’s 2002 campaign.
Superbet has launched “As Odds do Penta,” a data and research hub focused on Brazil’s 2026 World Cup outlook, using sportsbook-driven simulations and public opinion polling to compare the current cycle with the national team’s 2002 campaign. The initiative was announced in São Paulo in June 2026 and is hosted at termometrosuper.com.br.
According to Superbet, its sportsbook model runs predictive simulations and weighs performance metrics alongside qualitative inputs, including media coverage tone and fan engagement, to recreate historical probabilities and compare them to today’s market. “The odds in 2002 would certainly be as high as what we have now in 2026.. The scenario has several similarities: widespread distrust, a tense qualifying phase, and pressure from the press.”, said Guilherme Simantob, a statistician at Superbet.
Superbet also cited results from “Termômetro Super,” a survey commissioned from Instituto QualiBest and conducted June 4-6 with 824 internet users aged 40+ across Brazil. The company said 58% of respondents see a medium-to-high probability of a Brazil turnaround in 2026, and that 58% reported being optimistic or moderately confident based on historical parallels. The release also noted demographic splits, including higher uncertainty among women; a more negative view among Class A respondents compared to Class C; and a stronger “medium probability” view among respondents aged 61+ (44%) versus those aged 40-50 (33%).
On whether prior World Cup disappointments affect belief in a 2026 title, Superbet said 35% reported that pressure from previous defeats reduces confidence, while 22% said history shows Brazil performs strongly when expectations are low; 37% described themselves as moderately confident.
The company added that, based on its reconstruction, Brazil would have been priced at 8.50 in 2002 (which it equated to an 11% mathematical chance). For 2026, Superbet said Brazil’s title odds are around 9.50, and that the “mercado internacional” assigns the team about a 5% chance to win. Commentator Jorge Iggor, cited in the release, argued that entering without being the market favorite can reduce pressure: “Looking at the historical context and the odds themselves proves that not carrying the absolute favoritism for 2026 is a great advantage. Arriving without the weight of being the top team on the market relieves the pressure and makes the atmosphere much lighter. In 2002, the team also defied all predictions and clinical doubts about its main stars to lift the trophy.”
Superbet also highlighted what it called an experience edge in the current squad: “There is an unprecedented and favorable point for the current team. The players selected for the 2026 tournament have accumulated far more titles than the 2002 team at that time: 305 titles combined now, compared to 176 in 2002. This provides experience in big games that could be our unseen advantage.”, Simantob said. The company said the hub will update during the tournament, including additional “Termômetro” polling updates tracking changes in public confidence.
The post Superbet launches ‘As Odds do Penta’ hub tracking Brazil 2026 title odds appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Leading sportsbook provider Altenar has announced the launch of Super Early Payout to give soccer bettors more chance to celebrate winning moments before the final whistle.
The new promotion has gone live in time for the World Cup 2026 and means bettors who back a team in eligible markets will have their bet settled as a winner as soon as their selected team takes a one-goal lead, regardless of the final result.
This is an upgrade to the popular Early Payout offer, which requires a team to lead by two goals before qualifying bets are settled. Reducing the threshold to one goal allows Super Early Payout to deliver faster wins and an even more engaging betting experience.
Operators can configure the promotion for a specific team or both teams, while also having the option to replace the standard 1X2 market for a more prominent promotional experience.
Altenar has also brought greater flexibility to promotional campaigns with improvements to the Early Payout feature, which can now be applied directly to selected events rather than entire championships, making it easier to highlight key World Cup fixtures and other high-profile matches.
The enhancement supports both two-goal and three-goal Early Payout configurations and can also be applied to one or both teams. By moving beyond championship-wide set-ups, operators can create more targeted campaigns.
Expanded markets have also enriched Altenar’s soccer coverage at major tournaments such as the World Cup. New additions allow bettors more choice when it comes to player performance, including how goals or shots were made (by foot, header, outside the box etc).
Player specials have been expanded to include substitute coverage, allowing betting opportunities to remain relevant even when the originally selected player is replaced by a substitute.
A comprehensive range of player, team and match markets are also now available for matches that go to extra time, creating additional betting opportunities during the knockout stage of tournaments such as the World Cup.
These new features follow on from the World Cup Lobby, which was recently released by Altenar as a dedicated event hub designed to enhance player engagement and streamline navigation during the upcoming tournament.
Nikos Zygouris, Head of Sportsbook Product at Altenar, said: “At Altenar, we’re focused on giving our partners the flexibility to tailor their sportsbook experience to the needs of their customers.
“Super Early Payout allows operators to offer a more engaging soccer betting proposition, while our expanded range of markets means bettors have more choice than ever when it comes to placing bets on the markets which matter most to them.
“These enhancements combine greater promotional flexibility with deeper soccer coverage, helping operators maximise engagement throughout the World Cup.”
The post Altenar launches Super Early Payout to boost World Cup engagement appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Arnold Ash has agreed a sponsorship deal for the Arthurian League’s 2026 US Tour, which will culminate in the inaugural Transatlantic Cup on Friday 26 June in Philadelphia. The announcement was dated Friday 12th June 2026.
The Transatlantic Cup will be played during the 2026 World Cup and is framed by organisers as part of events marking 250 years of US independence. US amateur champions West Chester United SC, holders of the 2025 US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) National Amateur Cup, will host the Arthurian League representative side.
Arnold Ash’s logo will appear on the front of the touring team’s white and red England kit. The company said the headline partnership covers the full 12-day tour, including additional matches against New York Athletic Club and Boston Bolts, plus in-stadium branding at the ticketed fixture at Drexel University’s Vidal Athletic Complex and across event online and social channels.
Jon Arnold, CEO at Arnold Ash, said: “Arnold Ash has been a proud sponsor of the Arthurian League representative sides at major events before, but it doesn’t get any bigger than this. The team is hugely talented, made up of the top amateur players England has to offer and – as the best-of-the-best – reflect the Arnold Ash core principles of quality, experience and consistency.
“The World Cup is now underway, but for the next five weeks, the Transatlantic Cup is where the real action is at! We wish both England teams the best of luck stateside!”
Billy Jenkins, Manager of the Arthurian League representative team, said: “Arnold Ash’s sponsorship is hugely valuable to our team, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued backing of grassroots football.
“We are honoured to participate in the first-ever Transatlantic Cup and just like England’s professional team hope to be lifting prestigious silverware on US soil in the coming weeks.”
The post Arnold Ash sponsors Arthurian League US tour ahead of 2026 Transatlantic Cup appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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