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Betting Brands may Shift Focus from Sports to Casino Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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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.

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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:

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  • 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.

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Stakelogic Unites with Fair Play Casino in The Netherlands

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Fair Play Casino players can now enjoy Stakelogic’s in-demand slot and live casino portfolio, as well as an exclusive Chromakey Studio table

Stakelogic, the innovative provider of creative casino content, is proud to announce a new partnership with leading Dutch operator Fair Play Casino. The developer’s unique brand of online slot action and live casino content will be made available at the casino, with the integration managed by Relax Gaming. Fairplaycasino.nl will also receive a fully customised blackjack table thanks to Stakelogic’s innovative Chromakey Studio technology.

The Netherlands has been a key strategic market for Stakelogic for several years, and Fair Play Casino will mark a significant step forward in that expansion. The operator is the fifth biggest in the market, catering to a large portion of Dutch players.

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Those players will now gain full access to Stakelogic’s full suite of online slots. This includes dynamic and engaging new releases like Fugly Pets, Dragon’s Dawn, and Manimals, as well as classic Stakelogic slots. These classic slots have proven to be a huge hit with players worldwide, combining nostalgic gameplay and retro designs with modern graphics and capabilities, ensuring plenty of variety for players.

Per the deal, Fair Play Casino’s casino lobby will be enhanced by the presence of Stakelogic’s live casino catalogue. Each of Stakelogic’s live games is designed to provide a thrilling, immersive gameplay experience using the latest streaming and broadcasting technology. Innovation is the name of the game with Stakelogic, and it is showcased through industry-leading titles like Spin to Win, Super Stake Blackjack, and the game-changing Super Wheel bonus.

The operator will also become the latest in the Netherlands to benefit from Stakelogic’s game changing Chromakey Studio technology. The casino will receive a fully customised and Fair Play Casino branded blackjack table that can seat up to seven players, ensuring it can provide a truly unique experience to its customers.

Neil Tanti, Senior Sales Manager at Stakelogic, said: Our products have been a huge hit with Dutch players, and this deal with Fair Play Casino, one of the biggest names in the country, will only cement our status as a must-have provider for operators there.

Our slots and live casino content can enhance any casino lobby. They bring action, engagement, and huge winning potential, and we can’t wait to see how Fair Play Casino players react to them.

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Pascal Janshen, Development Manager at Fair Play Casino, said: Stakelogic makes a fantastic addition to our online slot and live casino offerings. Players come to Fair Play Casino to enjoy the best the online casino world offers, and Stakelogic certainly provides that.

To stay at the top of the game, we need to be able to provide something that nobody else can. By utilising Stakelogic’s Chromakey Studio technology, we will now be able to offer a fully branded table exclusively to our players, ensuring we achieve that goal.

The post Stakelogic Unites with Fair Play Casino in The Netherlands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Jelly Entertainment Signs Deal with Light & Wonder

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Jelly Entertainment has completed an agreement with Light & Wonder allowing it access to key strategic operators.

Through this agreement, Light & Wonder, the leading cross-platform global games company, will ensure that its extensive operator network has access to Jelly’s engaging and immersive slot titles via the Light & Wonder aggregation platform.

The latest major deal for Jelly will see titles such as Midas Riches, Elixir of Wealth and Wicked Riches of Oz and their upcoming release, Muertos Fortune made available to Light & Wonder operators.

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The agreement marks a further strengthening of Jelly’s product offering in regulated markets throughout Europe. The UK, Italy and Spain are among three of the key regulated markets that this new agreement will see Jelly increase its tier-one profile.

The deal with Light & Wonder also provides Jelly Entertainment with a global shop window to other regulated markets including Colombia and Peru, two markets that the supplier has identified as fit for its products and future growth.

Jelly is regarded as one of the leading challenger game developers in the UK where the company is based, recognised for building game families around iconic titles including CleoPatrick and Big Benji, and premium game collections such as The Curious Cases and Lost Treasure Saga series.

Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Digital Partnerships at Light & Wonder, said: “We are delighted to be working with Jelly Entertainment and are looking forward to offering their high-quality content across our network. Elevating emerging and upcoming game developers is a top priority for us and we are particularly excited to showcase Jelly and their great gaming experiences now available on the Light & Wonder platform.”

David Newstead, CEO of Jelly, said: “We have challenged ourselves to grow the Jelly brand and reach more players than ever this year and our new deal with Light & Wonder will certainly help us achieve that. With this new agreement in place, we are in a strong position to continue on our path of growth with the world’s biggest casino brands.”

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The post Jelly Entertainment Signs Deal with Light & Wonder appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Amusnet Enters into Partnership with Mr. Gamble

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Amusnet, a leading gaming provider, has entered into a partnership with Mr. Gamble, a renowned casino comparison portal. The management at both companies expects this partnership to redefine the industry standards by synergising Amusnet’s innovative gaming solutions with Mr. Gamble’s extensive analysis capabilities.

Providers and affiliates generally collaborate, from traditional marketing agreements to more integrated partnerships involving collective branding and delivering one-of-a-kind content. Mr. Gamble’s vast professional background in these matters allows partners like Amusnet to brainstorm potential strategies which aim to maximise mutual growth and player enjoyment.

“Our collaboration with Amusnet goes beyond conventional boundaries. We combine our insights and offerings to create a truly unique gaming experience. This is our shared vision for the future of online gaming,” Paul Puolakka, CMO of Mr. Gamble, said.

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“Mr. Gamble’s expertise in audience engagement and setting market trends, together with our global experience and our wide top-notch portfolio, will open the door to expanded opportunities and enhanced player satisfaction in various markets,” Liliya Chatalbasheva, CMO of Amusnet, said.

The post Amusnet Enters into Partnership with Mr. Gamble appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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