Industry News

SAZKA Group: COVID-19 update

Published

6 years ago

March 18, 2020

SAZKA Group wishes to give an update to its stakeholders regarding the measures our companies and retail partners have taken with regard to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.

First and foremost, in order to protect the health and safety of our customers, employees, partners and the public, all our companies have fully complied with all the decisions and recommendations of the public authorities in the countries of their operations. We have successfully implemented contingency and business continuity plans with no significant impact to our business processes, and almost all our employees are currently working from home.

While all our digital channels continue to operate without interruption, our physical retail networks have adopted various measures to safeguard public health and the health of our employees.

We anticipate that these developments will impact our financial performance. The extent of the impact will depend on factors including the duration of the outbreak, how longer current restrictions remain in place, further measures taken by governments, and the extent of economic disruption.

Robert Chvatal, CEO commented: “Management are working on mitigating steps to minimise the financial impact for our companies, our employees, and our partners. SAZKA Group is in daily contact with its local operating companies to coordinate timely response to the developments in individual markets.”

Below is a brief overview of the current situation in our markets:

Greece

On Friday 13 March 2020, the Greek government published its decision to impose a temporary ban on the operation of a wide range of shops, indoor venues and other locations. As a result, all of the OPAP stores and PLAY gaming halls in Greece will be closed for two weeks, from Saturday 14 March until Friday 27 March 2020 inclusive. The horseracing facility at Markopoulo Park will also be closed.

Consequently, during this period, the company’s gaming activities will only be operating through its online platforms, which offer sports betting and certain other lottery games, and via the street vendor network of Hellenic Lotteries, which offers scratch cards and passive lotteries.

OPAP’s stores in Cyprus have been temporarily closed as of.

Austria

On Friday 13 March 2020, the Austrian government published its decision to impose a temporary ban on the operation of a wide range of shops, excluding those providing basic services such as food retail, pharmacies, post offices, banks, petrol stations and tobacco stores. The decision went into force on Monday 16 March 2020. The ban has so far had only a limited impact on the availability of Austrian lotteries products through its main retail channels, as more than 90% of all point-of-sales are excluded from the ban.

Austrian Lotteries’ online gaming activities remain available to the public during the entire period. They include draw based games (including Austrian Lotteries’ major products Lotto and Euromillions), instant scratch cards, online casino, poker, bingo and sports betting.

In coordination with the authorities, Casinos Austria has decided to close all its casinos in Austria and its subsidiary Austrian Lotteries has decided to close all its 19 gaming halls on March 13, 2020. The casinos and gaming halls will be closed at least until April 13, 2020. The Austrian government is introducing measures to support part time work, which may allow reduce Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries to reduce the financial impact of the closure

Casinos Austria International, which operates casinos and VLT businesses in multiple countries, is closely monitoring the situation and acting in accordance with the instructions of local governmental bodies.

Czech Republic

As of Monday 16 March, the State Security Council of the Czech Republic has decided to severely limit free movement in the Czech Republic in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic. Citizens are allowed going to work and shop for supplies limited to food, vital supplies, fuel and medicine, as well as use of necessary financial and postal services. We estimate that 70% of SAZKA’s Czech retail network, including newsstands and post offices, continues providing their services to the public.

At the same time, we are actively promoting the use of online platforms for lottery products as well as digital-only offerings. In recent weeks we have seen a 25-30% increase in sales via digital channels compared to previous weeks.

Italy

Most shops, restaurants and cafes in Italy are currently closed as a result of a number of recent measures. Tobacconists, which are a key channel for LOTTOITALIA, are allowed to remain open, however traffic has declined.

About SAZKA Group:

We are one of the largest pan-European lottery operators. Our businesses operate lotteries in all the major continental European countries where lotteries are privately operated, including the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria and Italy, and in Cyprus. Our businesses focus on the lottery segment, including numerical lotteries (draw-based games) and instant lotteries (scratch cards), and also provide complementary products, including sports-betting and digital-only games. They sell their products both through various retail networks and through digital platforms.

Up Next

European Gaming set to pioneer virtual conferences for 2020

Don't Miss

Cardiff City FC aka Bluebirds launch official eSports team

AI chat technology

Casinofy Unveils Next-Generation Platform Redesign with AI-Powered Chat, Setting a New Standard for the Online Casino Industry

Published

35 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

casinofy-unveils-next-generation-platform-redesign-with-ai-powered-chat,-setting-a-new-standard-for-the-online-casino-industry

Casinofy, a forward-thinking leader in the online casino space, announced the launch of its completely redesigned platform featuring cutting-edge AI chat technology, a modernised user interface and a suite of innovative features that position the company at the forefront of the iGaming industry.

A Bold Leap Forward in Online Casino Innovation

The newly redesigned Casinofy platform represents one of the most ambitious overhauls in the online casino sector. With a focus on user experience, intelligent personalisation and next-generation technology, Casinofy is redefining what players expect from an online gaming destination.

Key highlights of the new platform include:

• AI-Powered Chat Assistant — An intelligent, real-time chat system that provides instant player support, personalised game recommendations, responsible gaming guidance and seamless interaction — available 24/7 with human-like conversational ability.

• Complete UI/UX Redesign — A sleek, modern interface built for speed, accessibility and engagement across all devices, delivering an immersive experience from the first visit.

• Smart Personalization Engine — Leveraging AI to tailor game suggestions, promotions and content to each player’s unique preferences and play style.

• Enhanced Navigation and Game Discovery — Intuitive categorisation, advanced search and AI-driven recommendations that help players discover new favorites effortlessly.

AI Chat: A Game-Changer for Player Experience

At the heart of the new Casinofy experience is its proprietary AI chat system — a feature that goes far beyond traditional customer support. The AI assistant understands context, remembers player preferences and delivers instant, accurate responses on everything from game rules and bonus terms to account inquiries.

Unlike conventional chatbots, Casinofy’s AI chat is designed to enhance every touchpoint of the player journey, making it one of the most sophisticated implementations of artificial intelligence in the online casino industry to date.

Leading the Industry Through Innovation

While the online casino market continues to grow, few operators have invested as heavily in technology-driven differentiation as Casinofy. The new platform positions Casinofy among the most innovative operators globally, bridging the gap between traditional online gaming and the AI-first future of digital entertainment.

The Casinofy team said that they are not just keeping up with the industry, but setting the pace. The new platform is built on the belief that players deserve smarter, faster and more personalised experiences. They added that the integration of AI chat is just the beginning of what they have planned.

The post Casinofy Unveils Next-Generation Platform Redesign with AI-Powered Chat, Setting a New Standard for the Online Casino Industry appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

DigerPAM

Digicode Launches DigerPAM: A Next-Generation Player Account Management System for iGaming Operators

Published

24 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

digicode-launches-digerpam:-a-next-generation-player-account-management-system-for-igaming-operators

International software provider Digicode has unveiled DigerPAM, an enterprise-grade Player Account Management (PAM) system designed to serve as the operational backbone for modern iGaming operators. DigerPAM integrates core account management, CRM, compliance, promotions, analytics, and growth workflows into a single, scalable platform, giving operators full visibility, control, and performance across their brands and player base.

Built for operational excellence and regulatory compliance
Engineered for operators navigating complex regulations and multi-brand strategies, DigerPAM centralises every player interaction—from acquisition and registration to lifecycle engagement and retention—within one intelligent framework.

Key capabilities include:

Unified operational core: Manage player profiles, wallets, CRM, bonus engines, content, compliance workflows, and reporting seamlessly from a single system.
Full lifecycle oversight: Track and engage players from first interaction to lifetime value with real-time behavioural insights and segmentation.
Built-in compliance and reporting: Optional KYC/identity verification, responsible gaming tools, immutable tax logs, and regulatory reporting across jurisdictions.
Modular, scalable architecture: Cloud-agnostic microservices built for high-traffic, multi-currency operations and rapid provider integration.
Optional suite integrations: Full compatibility with Digicode’s ecosystem, including DigerRGS, DigerPay, DigerClick, and DigerCompanion, to expand platform functionality.

A solution for modern iGaming realities
DigerPAM supports both standalone operations and complex multi-brand ecosystems, giving operators actionable insights into player behaviour, campaign performance, compliance readiness, and key business KPIs—all without relying on fragmented legacy systems.

“Operators today need a unified engine that not only manages accounts but drives growth with intelligence and compliance at its core,” said Max Maslii, Global CEO at Digicode. “DigerPAM delivers a single, cohesive view across the player lifecycle, eliminates operational fragmentation, and empowers brands to scale confidently.”

The post Digicode Launches DigerPAM: A Next-Generation Player Account Management System for iGaming Operators appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Industry News

SpringbokCasino.co.za Presents ‘Savanna Stand-Up’ This ‘Funny April’ — with 25 Free Spins on Devil’s Jackpot

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

springbokcasinoco.za-presents-‘savanna-stand-up’-this-‘funny-april’-—-with-25-free-spins-on-devil’s-jackpot

SpringbokCasino.co.za is turning the African savanna into a comedy stage with “Savanna Stand-Up”, a five-part series where animals take the spotlight to deliver classic jokes with a uniquely wild twist.

Each episode features a bold performer stepping up to the mic—only to reveal a deeper survival lesson hidden behind the punchline. As part of the Funny April promotion, players can also enjoy 25 Free Spins on the fiery slot Devil’s Jackpot.

The Comedy Lineup

Episode 1: When the Lion Played Poker – A poker face means little when you already hold all the cards—and the sharpest claws.

Episode 2: The Elephant and the Mouse – A tiny troublemaker pushes patience to its hilarious limits.

Episode 3: The Rhino and the Stomp Sign – A simple misunderstanding leads to a ground-shaking joke.

Episode 4: Never Argue with a Buffalo – A hyena learns that brute force wins every debate.

Episode 5: The Penguin Who Didn’t Fly – When a high-flying joke fails, waddling saves the day.

From the Wild to the Reels

Out in the savanna, survival depends on playing to your strengths—and the same holds true at Springbok Casino. Whether chasing jackpots with a lion’s confidence or spinning the reels with a penguin’s determination, knowing your game is key.

“We wanted to create something truly South African—comedy that reflects the spirit of the bushveld,” said Daniel Van Wyke, Casino Manager. “Now we’re putting animals in the spotlight and giving our players even more reason to join the fun with free spins.”

April Free Spins Offer

Players can claim:

25 Free Spins on Devil’s Jackpot (no deposit required)

Coupon Code: STANDUP

Step into the heat with Devil’s Jackpot from RTG, a medium-volatility slot featuring an RTP of 96.25% and win potential of up to 50,000x your bet. With wilds, nudges, multipliers, a bonus round, and progressive jackpots, it delivers a thrilling, high-energy experience.

The post SpringbokCasino.co.za Presents ‘Savanna Stand-Up’ This ‘Funny April’ — with 25 Free Spins on Devil’s Jackpot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.