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Prostrate Travel and Tourism Sector & Legal Restraints to Challenge Growth Even as Casinos Reopen
The “Casinos – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
While the pandemic and lockdowns have largely benefitted the gaming industry, the gambling sector has been less lucky faced with a tepid outlook and a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges. With 74.6% of revenues coming from the offline brick and motor sector, the closure of entertainment centers and casinos as part of the lockdowns imposed in 1st Q 2020 impacted revenues and profitability for companies. The global market for casinos is expected to decline by 10.8% in the year 2020. The abrupt halting of economic activity has pushed businesses across all industries into financial distress. Sudden fall in revenues and profits as a result of demand disruptions has resulted in workforce pruning and layoffs. Unemployment rates have hit never-before highs with the US topping the charts with 12.5% unemployed as a % of total labor force. Social outlook against this background remains grim with households expected witness erosion in wealth. Personal financial outlook, community, economy, job security confidence, purchasing and investment confidence are all tumbling as the human and economic cost of the global pandemic rises. While brick and motor casinos stagnate, online casinos are faring better although limited by lower discretionary spending. The increase in spending is coming largely from gaming addicts and from consumer clusters spending more on online retail and entertainment during the pandemic.
Even as casinos begin to reopen as lockdowns are cautiously eased in countries worldwide, they face the challenge of falling consumer confidence and spending and the still prostrate travel and tourism sector. In Las Vegas for instance which is the gambling Mecca of the world, millions of tourists and visitors make up for the large customer base at casinos. Gaming operators from Macau to Las Vegas are all anticipating a rough restart after gaming properties are allowed to reopen. In Macau, a few gaming properties have reopened but could not see desirable outcomes. In gambling destinations such as Parisian Macao, Venetian Macao, Sands Cotai Central, Wynn Palace, City of Dreams, Galaxy Macau, MGM Cotai, Grand Lisboa, MGC Macau, Star World and Wynn Macau, customer turnover still remains low. During pre-COVID-19 times, each of those casinos attracted around 200 thousand visitors every day. This extreme drop in visitor numbers is due to stringent border restrictions being followed since the month of March. Limited options for transportation and quarantine rules make it difficult for players to visit gambling destinations. With the global economy now in recession, recovery will be delayed further. Although online casinos are well suited for safe indulgence in gambling in the midst of a pandemic situation, this sector is still fledging and is plagued with legality issues. Online casinos are illegal in most parts of the United States and in countries where online casinos are legal confusion over legal boundaries of betting and gambling is a chief restraint to growth. Underdevelopment online funds transfer platforms also adds another layer of challenge to growth. In younger markets like the U.S. and Asian countries where digital prize money disbursement platforms are still underdeveloped, the challenge is bigger and more difficult to overcome. In Europe, the region with a well-developed online and offline gambling infrastructure, casino owners are innovating in digital payments by using digital wallet services to transfer funds to customers.
A return to complete normalcy will begin only after barriers to access gaming destinations are completely removed. The market is projected to reach US$159.3 billion by the year 2027, trailing a CAGR of3.7%. Offline Casinos, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 3.4% CAGR to reach US$116.3 million by the end of the analysis period. Few of the factors expected to drive growth in the post pandemic period include migration from cards to crypto currency gambling; continued evolution of online casinos supported by rapid proliferation of mobile devices and growing penetration of smart phones and tablets; development of supplicated gambling apps; growing participation of women in casinos; resurgence in casino tourism; relaxation in gambling regulations and legalization of gambling in several nations given their contribution to national income and development of local tourism.
Key Topics Covered:
I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & REPORT SCOPE
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. MARKET OVERVIEW
2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS
3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS
4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE
III. MARKET ANALYSIS
IV. COMPETITION
Companies Mentioned
- 888 Holdings Plc
- Betfair Group Plc
- Boyd Gaming Corporation
- Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
- Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc
- Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City
- Harrington Raceway & Casino
- Ladbrokes Coral Group Plc
- Las Vegas Sands Corporation
- Mgm Resorts International
- Penn National Gaming
- Sjm Holdings Ltd.
- William Hill Plc
- Wynn Resorts Limited
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Best Platform Provider 2026
GR8 Tech Named Best Platform Provider 2026 at SiGMA Eurasia Awards
GR8 Tech has been awarded Best Platform Provider 2026 at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards, reaffirming its position as a leading technology partner for casino and sportsbook operators worldwide.
The recognition highlights the company’s ability to deliver a stable, high-performance platform that enables rapid market entry and seamless scalability across regulated and emerging markets.
The award reflects GR8 Tech’s Platform for Champions philosophy—a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, flexibility, and reliability under peak operational loads. Designed to support both casino and sportsbook businesses, the platform allows operators to configure, localize, and scale efficiently while maintaining consistent performance across jurisdictions.
A key driver behind the win is GR8 Tech’s recently launched Crypto Turnkey solution, which combines a comprehensive sportsbook and casino offering with native multi-wallet functionality. This solution enables operators to enter crypto-friendly markets faster, streamline payments, and offer modern betting experiences tailored to evolving player preferences.
Commenting on the achievement, Sergey Ghazaryan, Chief Revenue Officer at GR8 Tech, said:
“Awards are meaningful when they reflect real-world performance. This recognition confirms that operators can rely on our platform when entering new markets and scaling under pressure. The Platform for Champions is built to perform when it matters most, and we’ll continue delivering the competitive advantages our partners need to succeed locally and globally.”
The Best Platform Provider 2026 title follows GR8 Tech’s recent accolade as Best Software Supplier of the Year at the European iGaming Awards, further cementing the company’s reputation as a top-tier iGaming technology provider.
With a focus on rapid integration, smart localization, and long-term scalability, GR8 Tech continues to set new benchmarks for platform performance and innovation in the global iGaming industry. Operators looking to launch faster and scale with confidence can explore GR8 Tech’s award-winning Platform for Champions through personalized demos and consultations.
The post GR8 Tech Named Best Platform Provider 2026 at SiGMA Eurasia Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
brand sponsorship Brazil
Esportes da Sorte Becomes Official Sponsor of Brazil’s Biggest Carnival Celebrations in 2026
Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading iGaming brands, has announced a major nationwide sponsorship for Carnival 2026, securing an official presence at the country’s most iconic and culturally significant celebrations.
The initiative marks one of the most extensive Carnival activation projects ever undertaken by a gaming company in Brazil.
For Carnival 2026, Esportes da Sorte will serve as an official sponsor in seven Brazilian capitals: Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Natal, and Maceió. In addition, the brand will have a strong presence in Olinda, a city internationally recognized for its cultural heritage, along with targeted activations in Caicó (Rio Grande do Norte), a key production hub for the company’s promotional materials.
This nationwide project reflects Esportes da Sorte’s long-term commitment to Brazilian popular culture and its continued investment in community-based celebrations across multiple regions. The 2026 Carnival strategy has been developed city by city, embracing the diversity of Carnival expressions—from traditional street blocos and electric trios to large-scale urban stages—while adapting visual identity, messaging, and experiences to local traditions and cultural narratives.
Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil, emphasized the cultural importance of the initiative:
“Carnival is part of Brazil’s identity and has always been part of Esportes da Sorte’s journey. Being present at the country’s main Carnival celebrations reinforces our long-term commitment to Brazilian culture, to the cities, and to the people who bring this festival to life in the streets.”
Marcela Campos, Vice President of Esportes Gaming Brasil, highlighted the localized approach behind the project: “Our Carnival strategy was carefully designed for each city, respecting its unique traditions and cultural characteristics. The goal is to create authentic experiences for Carnival-goers and integrate the brand organically into each celebration—whether through blocos, electric trios, or major urban hubs.”
Beyond on-the-ground activations, Esportes da Sorte’s Carnival 2026 campaign includes a comprehensive media and engagement strategy. The initiative will feature coordinated activations across television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and a national public relations campaign before, during, and after Carnival. Content creation and influencer partnerships will further amplify reach, capturing behind-the-scenes moments and authentic Carnival experiences across multiple locations.
Following its presence in more than 100 blocos and street parties during Carnival 2025, Esportes da Sorte is significantly expanding its footprint for 2026. The nationwide sponsorship solidifies the brand’s leadership role at Brazil’s largest cultural event and strengthens its positioning at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and gaming.
The post Esportes da Sorte Becomes Official Sponsor of Brazil’s Biggest Carnival Celebrations in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Esportes da Sorte to be official sponsor of Brazil’s leading Carnival celebrations in 2026
Tuesday 10th February 2026: Leading Brazilian iGaming company Esportes da Sorte will deliver one of the most extensive Carnival activations in the industry for Carnival 2026, with an official presence at the country’s most iconic and emblematic celebrations.
The brand will serve as the official sponsor of festivities in seven Brazilian capitals — Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Natal and Maceió — as well as having a strong presence in Olinda, a city of major cultural significance. The national project will also include special activations in Caicó (RN), a key production hub for the brand’s promotional merchandise.
This initiative reflects Esportes da Sorte’s continued investment in Brazilian popular culture, built over several years across different regions of the country. In 2026, this positioning takes shape through a structured national project that embraces the diversity of Carnival formats — from traditional street blocos to electric trios and major urban stages — with visual identity and activations designed city by city, respecting local symbols, aesthetics and narratives.
“Carnival is part of Brazil’s cultural identity and also part of Esportes da Sorte’s journey. Being present at the country’s main Carnival celebrations is a strategic choice that reinforces our long-term commitment to popular culture, to the cities, and to the people who live this festival in the streets,” said Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil.
“Our Carnival project was designed city by city, respecting the unique characteristics and culture of each sponsored location. The idea is to ensure a real presence and unique experiences for Carnival-goers, integrating the brand organically into the rhythm of each celebration. Whether through blocos, trios or major urban hubs, we want to strengthen ourselves as the brand that elevates the connection between culture and entertainment,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of Esportes Gaming Brasil.
Beyond its on-the-ground presence, Esportes da Sorte’s Carnival 2026 strategy includes an integrated media and engagement approach, featuring activations across TV, radio, out-of-home media and a national PR operation before, during and after the festivities, focused on high-quality coverage and organic content generation.
The project will also include content and influencer engagement initiatives across multiple locations, expanding organic reach while capturing behind-the-scenes moments and Carnival experiences.
In 2025, the brand was present in more than 100 blocos and street parties across different regions of the country. For 2026, Esportes da Sorte is taking things to the next level, consolidating a nationwide project and reinforcing its leadership role in Brazil’s largest popular event.
The post Esportes da Sorte to be official sponsor of Brazil’s leading Carnival celebrations in 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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