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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.

belatra Gaming

Belatra collars another hit with Cops vs Robs

Published

2 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

belatra-collars-another-hit-with-cops-vs-robs

Belatra, a leading developer of innovative online slots, has unveiled its latest high-stakes release, Cops vs Robbs—a 5-reel slot that plunges players into the classic battle between law enforcement and daring outlaws. Noir-inspired visuals, a gripping soundtrack, and dynamic gameplay bring the crime thriller to life.

Choose Your Side: Cops or Robbers
Players can stake their allegiance before spinning:

Cops Mode: Smoother gameplay with frequent, consistent wins.
Robbers Mode: High-volatility action for players chasing big payouts.

Multiplier Wilds & Shootout Mechanics
Wild symbols expand to cover entire reels and grow multipliers with each step—up to x5 for Cops and x10 for Robbers. Multiple Wilds on a payline combine values for explosive wins, and landing five simultaneously triggers the 10,000x grand prize.

The Shootout mechanic dynamically drops high-value Coin symbols (Cops) or forces random winning combos (Robbers), keeping the action unpredictable.

Hold & Win Bonus and Buy Feature
During Hold & Win, cash and power-up symbols lock for three spins. Special tools like the Revolver Drum and Thompson Submachine Gun double coin values, while Coin Merge consolidates full lines for larger payouts.

The Buy Bonus menu offers direct access to three options: a Cop-themed Hold & Win for consistent returns, a Robber-themed version for high ceilings, or a guaranteed Wild spin delivering 1–5 Wilds with 10,000x win potential.

Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented:
“Cops vs Robbs is a fully customisable gambling experience where players can adjust their risk and reward. With Multiplier Wilds, Shootout mechanics, and Hold & Win bonuses, every spin has the potential to change the plot, just like the best crime thrillers.”

The post Belatra collars another hit with Cops vs Robs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

GR8 Tech

GR8 Tech World-Cup-Ready Series: Sportsbook Upgrades to Convert Tournament Traffic Into Results

Published

2 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-world-cup-ready-series:-sportsbook-upgrades-to-convert-tournament-traffic-into-results

Attracting World Cup traffic is easy, but converting that traffic into bets—and retaining those players—depends on the sportsbook experience. GR8 Tech is addressing this with a major overhaul of ULTIM8 Sportsbook, its flagship sports betting solution.

“The World Cup moves a lot of money regardless of operators,” said Dinos Doxiadis, Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech. “The challenge is retaining it. Players who can find and place bets efficiently during the group stage are the ones you keep.”

Seamless Navigation and Reduced Friction
The upgraded sportsbook separates Live and Pre-Match flows, adds dedicated Sport and Tournament Lobbies, and introduces multiple entry points to bring players directly to their desired content. This reduces friction and boosts conversion. The widget-based architecture now spans the redesigned navigation, allowing operators to manage layouts, campaigns, and featured markets without developer support—crucial during fast-moving tournaments.

Enhanced Bet Builder for Football
GR8 Tech expands Bet Builder with Corners, Cards, and Player Props for football, offering more combinations per slip. Longer sessions and more complex bets drive higher margins and deeper engagement.

Bet Booster Promotions Embedded in the Product
Odds-based promotions via Bet Booster provide boosted markets inside the sportsbook without eroding margin. Integrated with segmentation and the new navigation, the tool enhances player retention and activation while leveraging Bet Builder for maximum impact.

Sharper Odds, Controlled Margin
A dedicated Enhanced Prices market allows operators to offer competitive odds for football without impacting promotional mechanics on the standard market. This structural separation balances sharp pricing with profitability.

Ready for the Tournament
Several upgrades are already live, with the remainder rolling out before the World Cup begins. ULTIM8 Sportsbook offers operators a proven revenue stream with minimal operational overhead, making it a key tool for the year’s biggest betting window.

GR8 Tech.
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider of sportsbook and iGaming solutions, including ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and proprietary affiliate management via Aff.Tech. Focused on operator-first innovation, GR8 Tech has delivered measurable results in over 100 markets and was named Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.

The post GR8 Tech World-Cup-Ready Series: Sportsbook Upgrades to Convert Tournament Traffic Into Results appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

1spin4win

1spin4win to exhibit and join a panel discussion at the iGaming AFRIKA Summit 2026

Published

1 hour ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win-to-exhibit-and-join-a-panel-discussion-at-the-igaming-afrika-summit-2026

The conference will take place from May 4 to 5, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. 1spin4win delegates will join over 3,500 iGaming professionals for two days of networking, trend exploration, and knowledge exchange.

The provider will attend with a branded Stand E11 showcasing its portfolio of over 200 classic slots. Designed to drive strong player retention and engagement, their games stand out for their simple, intuitive gameplay and proven mechanics, including Hold and Win, an option especially popular in Kenya. Additionally, 1spin4win titles are fully compatible with mobile devices and run smoothly even on weaker internet connections.

For the studio, the event marks another step in reinforcing its standing in the African markets by strengthening relationships with existing partners and exploring new collaboration opportunities. Among their growing network of 1,000 global clients are international brands with a strong presence in the region, such as BC.Game, 1xBet, 22bet, N1bet, and 1win.

This momentum is reflected in the company’s recent performance in Africa. In 2025, 1spin4win saw GGR surge 11.8x, while bets increased 9.2x. This growth has continued into 2026. Comparing the first three months of 2026 with the last three months of 2025, bets rose by a further 9.73%, while player numbers climbed by 8.23%.

As part of the iGA Summit, participants can join expert-led discussions on key trends shaping the future of the African iGaming market. Among the speakers will be Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win. On the second day of the event, he will take part in a panel discussion on Best-Selling Games and Sportsbook or Casino Platforms in Africa. Jaime will share his expertise and insights into popular slot trends in the region and answer audience questions.

Another highlight of the conference is the awards ceremony on May 4, where the winners of the iGA Awards 2026 will be announced. 1spin4win is also in the running, nominated for Online Slot Supplier of the Year in recognition of excellence and innovation in the African iGaming industry.

Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win, commented, “At 1spin4win, we’re excited to be part of one of the biggest iGaming gatherings in Africa. We look forward to reconnecting with our partners, engaging with industry peers, and showcasing our diverse classic portfolio. We believe our games, already proven across global markets, are a strong fit for Africa, meeting the needs of both players and operators.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win to exhibit and join a panel discussion at the iGaming AFRIKA Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.