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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.
Asia
Esports Returns to Singapore with BLAST’s Dota 2 Arena Event After Sellout Counter-Strike World Final 2024
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BLAST Dota Slam Singapore to take place this November at Singapore Indoor Stadium in partnership with Singapore Tourism Board and AEG Presents Asia
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The world’s best Dota teams will meet in Singapore from 4th – 9th November 2025 to compete for a prize pool of $1,000,000 at the first ever BLAST Slam arena event
Esports entertainment company BLAST has announced the return of its world-class events to Singapore with the BLAST Dota Slam Singapore, set to take place in November 2025 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
This announcement follows the sellout success of the BLAST Premier World Final 2024, which marked BLAST’s Southeast Asia debut and saw more than ten-thousand fans pack out the Resorts World Convention Centre to witness the world’s top Counter-Strike teams compete for the $1 million prize pool.
Building on that momentum, Singapore will now host the BLAST Dota Slam arena event, teaming up with AEG Presents Asia again to bring together the world’s best Dota teams to battle it out for $1,000,000 in front of a live audience and millions of fans tuning in globally across 50+ territories and in 12 languages.
The BLAST Dota Slam Singapore is the latest milestone in BLAST’s global expansion into Dota 2, and reinforces Singapore’s growing reputation as a premier destination for sports and live entertainment. It marks the second consecutive year the city-state has hosted a BLAST arena tournament, following the successful Counter-Strike event in 2024.
James Woollard, Director of Market Development at BLAST, said: “Singapore delivered one of the most passionate esports crowds we’ve ever seen during last year’s BLAST Premier World Final. We’re thrilled to be returning with our next major arena show – this time for Dota 2 – and to once again partner with the Singapore Tourism Board and AEG Presents Asia to help to further grow Southeast Asia’s esports ecosystem. The response to our events in Singapore has been incredible, and this November’s Dota Slam promises to be another landmark moment for fans and for the region. Singapore has an impressive history and pedigree for the biggest international sporting events, supported by STB, and BLAST is proud to be building on this with the biggest esports events.”
Ms Lilian Chee, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome BLAST back to Singapore, this time with the Dota Slam. Building on the success of the BLAST Premier World Final, this event further reinforces Singapore’s reputation as a world-class destination for sports and live entertainment. We look forward to welcoming the passionate fans, players and partners once again to our vibrant city.”
BLAST’s return to Singapore is set to shine a global spotlight on the city while delivering significant economic benefits and meaningful destination marketing. With an estimated economic impact in the tens of millions, the tournament further demonstrates how esports events are evolving into major cultural and economic drivers for host cities – on par with large-scale traditional international sporting events.
With Singapore, Rio, London, Austin, and Lyon among the major destinations on BLAST’s global calendar this year, it is evident that governments, cities and tourism bodies are recognising the power of esports to attract young and engaged visitors, create jobs, and drive international visibility.
The post Esports Returns to Singapore with BLAST’s Dota 2 Arena Event After Sellout Counter-Strike World Final 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
This May, the fast-growing game provider 1spin4win, founded by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry in 2021, celebrates its fourth anniversary. Since its inception, it has boosted its team fivefold and extended its client list to 700+.
The brand’s reputation for quality and reliability is backed by top-tier operators such as Pin-Up, 1xBet, Blaze, Rox, BitStarz, LuckyDreams, RocketPlay, GG.bet, and others.
The studio has recently successfully increased its slot production to 4–5 monthly releases. Its portfolio has already surpassed 150 classic online titles with quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors driving strong player retention. Each 1spin4win game accommodates 10 languages, including those key to the LatAm market, expanding into which has lately become the company’s primary focus.
Beyond quality products with broad language support, 1spin4win consistently offers effective promotional tools to its business partners. Among them are special in-game features, various Cash & Drops campaigns, and additional marketing options such as pre-releases and free spins, which positively affect player loyalty. The provider launches over 1,300 successful promotions yearly.
Such a comprehensive approach results in well-deserved industry appreciation. As a result, the slot provider continues to receive nominations and recognitions and, at the time of this publication, is vying for the Slot Supplier — Under 5 Years category at the EGR B2B Awards 2025.
Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, commented, I am deeply grateful to the 1spin4win team and our partners for these remarkable four years of triumphs. Of course, we won’t stop there. Our sponsorship of the DAR Bjorn Charity Gala, right around the company’s birthday, is our first step in enhancing social accountability going forward.
Visit the studio’s website to learn more about 1spin4win and its unique offer.
The post 1spin4win celebrates its 4th anniversary appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Casino operator’s greenscreen-powered Live Blackjack experience to deliver immersive, custom gameplay and deeper brand engagement
LuckyStreak, the Riga-based live games provider, has launched its fully customisable SmartStudio greenscreen technology with online casino operator WinSpirit, delivering a high-spec branded Live Blackjack experience.
The integration gives WinSpirit the ability to completely customise every visual element of the blackjack environment, from the set, walls and floor, to the dealer’s backdrop, with the brand’s logo and colours. This creates a high-impact, bespoke experience that drives stronger engagement between brand and player.
LuckyStreak’s green screen solution lets operators like WinSpirit create fully customised, branded live casino environments without needing physical set builds. It’s flexible, fast, and cost-effective. Operators can choose different backgrounds, themes, branding elements – even switch between them dynamically if needed.
Designed with flexibility and fast deployment in mind, LuckyStreak’s highly advanced SmartStudio system offers chroma system keys in full HD with low latency, to promise razor sharp streams. The technology offers studio-grade production, multi-camera greenscreen and a semi-dedicated table layout that enables precise drop logos, video and stills layering and vibrant colour matching. The result is a deeply immersive and visually distinct blackjack game that perfectly aligns with WinSpirit’s brand identity.
This launch reinforces LuckyStreak’s commitment to delivering versatile and custom solutions for operators looking for more tailored and brand-led experiences across their live casino offering.
Ido Kamiel, COO at LuckyStreak, said: “We’re delighted that WinSpirit has chosen to enhance their players’ blackjack experiences with our greenscreen technology. It is designed to be highly flexible to meet our customers’ diverse and individual branding needs, and simple to deploy, to really enable us to forge closer relationships between player and brand, and to ensure that those meaningful moments are unforgettable.
“We are pleased to say that this is being reflected in longer and more involved player sessions compared to their generic table KPIs.”
Oleksandr Kotsenko, Business Development Lead at WinSpirit, said: “At WinSpirit, we’re always focused on offering players more choices and enhancing their gaming experience.
“Our partnership with LuckyStreak has been a perfect step in bringing this vision to life. We’re excited about this partnership and confident that LuckyStreak will delight our players while making a fantastic addition to our library.”
The post LuckyStreak launches new SmartStudio greenscreen technology with WinSpirit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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