Latest News
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.
Latest News
Not Just Data: A Record of RocketPlay Player Voices

In iGaming, reports often highlight numbers — deposits, conversion rates, retention, and other performance indicators. But behind these figures lies another equally important story: how players experience fun, form habits, and integrate games into their daily lives. This article looks at that side of gaming, with RocketPlay’s recent community project offering an example.
This year, RocketPlay Casino launched a project to better understand how players approach online gaming and add fun to their daily life. The goal was to explore the perception of online gaming not through statistics alone, but by hearing directly from the community.
The starting point was a gap the team noticed in existing industry reports: while numbers and performance metrics are widely available, there was little data on how players themselves describe their habits and approaches to fun. To address this, RocketPlay prepared a survey and shared it with its community.
Within several weeks, approximately 1500 responses were collected. The input varied in form: some participants wrote just a few lines about how they like spending evenings playing, while others submitted long, structured notes of their gameplay experience — almost like personal guides.
Some respondents swore by the particular time of spinning during the day. Many tied their approach to personal rituals, favorite slots, or small traditions. No two answers were the same, and together they showed how many ways there are to approach fun through games.
“We were amazed by how open and thoughtful our community was,” says Alex Martin, PR Manager at RocketPlay. “The honesty and detail went far beyond what we expected, and we’re grateful for their openness. I believe this gave us an even deeper connection with our community, turning stories into insights we can measure.”
Each answer felt like a depiction of the modern gaming experience — how different people add fun, mix it with luck, and turn play into enjoyment. Having such a wealth of insights, the team realized they had created something like a collective and warm memory of the fun time – dozens of tips, hundreds of personal stories, and countless small details were taken together.
At the start, RocketPlay did not intend to publish anything from the dialogue with players. But the team decided to keep these warm reflections for themselves and friends, so the answers were brought together in one collection — the RocketWisdom book.
At this stage, RocketPlay does not plan to make the book publicly available. Still, the team is considering different ways to keep the material connected to the community — perhaps through future collaborations or special projects. For now, the collection remains an exclusive record of how players themselves describe their play, leaving space for new formats and ideas ahead.
For RocketPlay, the key insight was clear: talk with your players — they сould bring inspiration behind every activity you launch. Ask questions, listen to their stories, and you’ll discover more than numbers can show. This dialogue became a record of how people enjoy gaming — their stories and habits will inspire future community projects. Because behind every device there is always a person.
For some, gaming is like a quiet morning coffee, a walk with their dog, or the joy of planting something new in the garden. For others, it’s a way to unwind after work, connect with friends across the world, or simply add a small spark of joy to the day. Data and numbers give the industry direction, but it’s emotions and everyday rituals that make it truly meaningful and alive.
BETBY
BETBY CONTINUES UPWARD TRAJECTORY WITH SOLID Q3 2025 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

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BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has reported another strong quarter, with its Q3 2025 performance underlining consistent growth and sustained engagement across its global partner network. The results highlight the provider’s continued expansion, innovation, and ability to deliver competitive value to operators worldwide.
During the third quarter, BETBY’s sportsbook recorded a 56.07% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), a 24.92% rise in total bets placed, and a 19.45% increase in active players, aligning with the solid upward trend seen in the company’s H1 results.
Importantly, these results were achieved despite a non-idyllic September, which was marked by uncompetitive margins due to sporting outcomes. This resilience further underscores the company’s ability to maintain growth momentum even in unfavourable market conditions.
This performance further demonstrates the scalability and reliability of BETBY’s sportsbook solution, which continues to attract new partners and drive growth across regulated markets. The supplier’s investment in proprietary trading models, AI-powered tools, and tailored partner support remains central to its strategy.
Betby.Games, BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, also delivered a positive quarter, achieving an 8.43% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), a 6.18% rise in total bets placed, and an 11.85% growth in active players compared to the same period last year.
Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, commented: “Q3 once again demonstrates the strength of our products and the trust we’ve built with our partners. We continue to deliver solid results across both sportsbook and esports verticals, driven by innovation, user-centric solutions, and our commitment to excellence. As we approach the end of the year, our focus remains on accelerating growth and reinforcing our position as a Tier-1 provider in the iGaming industry.”
To find out more about BETBY’s cutting-edge sportsbook solution visit booth 4045 during SiGMA Central Europe. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with BETBY’s team, and discover how the company’s solutions and services can be their winning aspect for their iGaming project.
The post BETBY CONTINUES UPWARD TRAJECTORY WITH SOLID Q3 2025 PERFORMANCE RESULTS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Andrzej Hyla Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan
Wazdan ready to exhibit as gain-focused partner and exhibitor at SiGMA Central Europe

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Wazdan, the leading gain-focused developer, is ready to make its mark at the upcoming SiGMA Central Europe summit in Rome, taking place from 4th to 6th November at the Fiera Roma.
Italy represents one of Europe’s largest untapped online gambling markets, with total gambling revenue currently standing at an estimated €16 billion. Currently, only 25% of the market operates online, leaving €12 billion in offline revenue waiting to be unlocked.
Situated at stand 4040, Wazdan will be on hand to showcase the company’s Online gaining formula, featuring its captivating portfolio with over 250 certified games translated in more than 30 languages across 25 regulated markets.
Attendees will have the chance to experience the highly anticipated Mighty Wild: Gorilla release, while the recently launched Cash Grotto
, 16 Coins
x5000 and Mighty Crown
: Legacy of Mars will also be on show, with all experiencing impressive early performances with the studio’s operator partners globally.
Turning attention to Wazdan’s industry-renowned network promotions, those in Rome will also benefit from invaluable insight into the upcoming multi-stage €6,000,000 Network Promotion, which has been built to secure long-term player retention rates during the busy festive period.
Beyond the product showcasing and prize giveaways, Wazdan views the summit as a key opportunity to strengthen regional partnerships and deepen its engagement with Italy’s thriving iGaming sector.
The event’s prominence on the global industry calendar makes it a natural fit for Wazdan’s ambitions to lead the way in compelling slot innovation and partner-focused growth.
Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “SiGMA Central Europe is a fantastic opportunity to connect with partners and share how our Online gaining formula continues to drive measurable growth.
“We are delighted to be acting as a partner throughout the three-day summit, and look forward to shedding light on how our powerful game mechanics and retention tools can help partners accelerate their success in this dynamic market.”
The post Wazdan ready to exhibit as gain-focused partner and exhibitor at SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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