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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.
FairPlay Sports Media, the fan and AI-powered global sports media network, has launched Teammate, the industry’s first sports AI assistant on its WhoScored.com brand.
Teammate translates natural-language commands from sports fans and bettors, powered by a Google Gemini partnership, and redirects them to relevant betting opportunities, forecasting insight, and sporting data, to help enhance the user experience of football stats enthusiasts, as well as help level the playing field against the sportsbook, using text and data visualisations as communication.
Utilising the FairPlay network’s 25+ years of sports data assets, and its recent integration of a cutting-edge deep-learning neural engine, Teammate is the most advanced, AI-powered and fan-first tool which will allow the increasingly stats-hungry sports audience to go deeper into the numbers to enhance both their pre-match and live engagement and betting decisions.
Google Gemini has led the AI assistant charge of recent years, mastering creative and productivity tools, advanced reasoning and complex tasks, and engaging content delivery, all powered by its various advanced LLMs. Using this sophisticated platform, Teammate will access the same, well-known UI, while adapting its design and responses for those related to sports data.
Teammate, live now in beta mode, will revolutionise how sports fans find information, whether they’re a die-hard fan, a fantasy strategist, or lining up a bet builder, with its front-end designed to fit seamlessly as a white label into partner apps and websites, increasing brand stickiness and offering monetisation opportunities for those hosting the sports lifestyle tool.
Stuart Simms, group CEO at FairPlay Sports Media, said: “AI has integrated rapidly into our day-to-day lives, but there’s not been a truly bespoke assistant service that suits the needs of sports bettors and data-hungry fans. Teammate, which combines our prowess in delivery of sporting insight, with Google Gemini’s ability to serve users with natural, conversational conveyance of information, offers just that.
“Whether you need betting inspiration, you’re looking to find the best value that backs up a gut betting pick or want to explore betting opportunities around a player’s recent run of form, Teammate will point you in the direction to find the best bets and the most relevant markets, alongside forecasted tips and associated statistics and data.”
The post FairPlay Sports Media Launches Football AI Stats Assistant ‘Teammate’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
World leading slots innovator, Nolimit City, has partnered up with the newly announced slots studio, Sneaky Slots.
Nolimit City have licensed out their trademarked xMechanics to Sneaky Slots, for use in their future game portfolio.
The two have agreed to feature Nolimit City’s proprietary xMechanics across several of Sneaky Slots new and yet to be announced slots roadmap.
Nolimit has always prided itself in creating a brand with a rich foundation and a loyal following thanks to its relentless innovation. Boasting over 19 in house xMechanics, Nolimit’s trademark mechanics will be featured on the new studio and promise to feature some of Nolimit’s most beloved mechanics, such as xNudge®, xWays®, xBomb® and several others. Players can experience several of these mechanics on classic titles, such as Brute Force, San Quentin xWays® and Fire In The Hole.
There’s not much to be said about Sneaky Slots as of yet, the mysterious studio seems to have a lot in store.
The post Nolimit City extends xMechanic licensing deal with Sneaky Slots appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Swing from the vines, exploring the jungle and its dense foliage for unimaginable riches! Various jungle animals join you in your quest to find gold, where each spin gives you plenty of opportunities.
ELA Games presents its newest release: Legacy of Lost Gold. Are you ready for the adventure?
The Heroes of the Jungle
Legacy of Lost Gold’s crown jewel is its Hold & Win Bonus Game. Here, various jungle companions and heroes show up in the special top row, each bringing their unique power-up to help players on their quest:
- Collect all visible coins for an instant payout
- Boost every coin by +1
- Upgrade the reel below by +1 to +5
- Multiply the reel below by x2
Additionally, respins will continue as long as new symbols land on the main bonus grid, giving players even more chances to stack their treasures high. Each time a hero arrives, the game’s intensity rises as the chance of juicy rewards increases!
ELA Games’ Latest Expedition
Legacy of Lost Gold is an example of the studio’s approach to game development: high-energy gameplay, visually-rich aesthetics, and engaging mechanics so players can have constant fun from the first spin to the last.
Yaroslav Soloshenko, ELA Games’ Business Development Team Lead, commented on the new release, “The team loves looking for new ways to keep players engaged and invested… not just in winning, but in the journey itself. Legacy of Lost Gold adds to the immersion with characters that help along the way, creating an experience that players resonate with. In this game, you’re not just chasing the next win; you feel like the main character, where each spin could be impactful.”
Play Now!
The gold is out there… just waiting for someone to swoop in and take it. It’s not going to find itself! Play Legacy of Lost Gold today and see if you can discover the hidden riches.
The post Legacy of Lost Gold: Explore the Depths of the Jungle With ELA Games’ Latest Release appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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