Latest News
Behind the Success of the Growing European Online Gambling Market
Due to all types of restrictions on social gathering and physical attendance in many brick-and-mortar businesses, the global online gaming and gambling markets have ballooned in 2020. As gambling becomes more and more of an online activity, markets such as the European Union are projected to grow at about 10% per year, and increase to nearly US$35.5 billion by 2022, up nearly 32% from its 2018 numbers. Globally, the online gambling market is projected to reach US$160 billion by 2026. The European market is seen as far more regulated than any other, with the Western side catching up to the Eastern market revenue-wise. But for a diverse group of developers and their platforms, there are companies already licensed to operate in the EU that are reaping the rewards of their market position on the continent, including Bragg Gaming Group, Glue Mobile, Activision Blizzard, Century Casino Inc., and Enthusiast Gaming.
Through its subsidiary ORYX Gaming, Bragg Gaming Group recently announced its entry into the lucrative Swiss market, after signing a content deal with leading operator mycasino.ch by Grand Casino Luzern.
It’s worth noting that as recently as 2019, online gaming was illegal in Switzerland, and all access to unlicensed sites and apps were to be blocked. But a new gambling law from July 2019 enabled land-based casinos to launch online operations.
Since then, the Swiss regulated online market quickly gained traction. The latest official figures from the country’s regulator showed that online gaming licensees generated CHF23.5M (more than US$26 million) in just the first partial year of being live.
It’s notable that ORYX/Bragg’s partner Grand Casino Luzern‘s brand mycasino.ch generated CHF8.9M (nearly US$10 million) in revenues in 2019—accounting for nearly 38% of the total Swiss online gaming market.
“We have had a strong start to our online operations and are constantly looking for fresh and exciting content to enhance the experience for our growing customer base. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with ORYX moving forward,” said Wolfgang Bliem, CEO of Grand Casino Luzern. “Our main objective is to provide our Swiss players with pure entertainment at the highest level, and we believe ORYX’s portfolio of games can help us achieve just that. We are pleased to be the first operator in the country to offer the games through ORYX and are confident that the games will be huge hits with our players.”
Through ORYX GAMING, Bragg is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), as well as the Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN) and is compliant, certified, or approved in 18 other major jurisdictions.
“The Swiss online market is one that we have had an eye on since the new legislation entered into force in 2019 and we are thrilled to finally make our debut,” said Matevz Mazij, Managing Director of ORYX Gaming. “Grand Casino Luzern makes a perfect partner for us as one of the most established operators in the market with a strong online brand and we look forward to working together to build our presence in the country.”
Prior to the Swiss announcement, Bragg Gaming Group announced an exceptional revenue growth of 72% in Q3 2020. Bragg continued to focus on expanding its global footprint, onboarding 14 new customers in the quarter alone. Beyond Switzerland, they’re also in advanced discussions with new customers across multiple other licensed jurisdictions in Europe and Latin America.
Built upon its portfolio of assets that includes the ORYX Gaming subsidiary, Bragg Gaming Group is positioned as an innovative B2B online gaming facilitator, providing turnkey solutions including an omni-channel retail, online, and mobile iGaming platform to clients such as Grand Casino Luzern. Bragg’s games are played and enjoyed in countries around the world, and the company is set to sponsor this year’s prestigious World Gaming Executive Summit (WGES)—one of Europe’s most exclusive iGaming conferences.
At another virtual conference held on Dec 9, Glu Mobile (NASDAQ:GLUU) will be sending its CEO and COO to participate in one-on-one meetings and a fireside chat at the UBS Global TMT Virtual Conference.
Unlike online casino games, Glu Mobile’s primary assets are “freemium” mobile games—games that are free to download, but incentivize players to spend more money for downloadable content and upgrades. The business model has proven quite successful, as shares of Glu Mobile have risen 43.88% over the past quarter, and are up 76.88% in the last year. The company’s revenue reached a record high US$158.50 million, beating the estimate of US$136.30 million, resulting in a year-over-year growth of 48%.
Much like Glu, Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) saw its revenues grow in 2020, by an expected rate of 28%. This year’s lockdowns and increased time at home has given Activision Blizzard its biggest base of engaged players to date. The company expects that its next major Call of Duty release will only add more to the bottom line—and push sales in Q4 to $2 billion, and net bookings of $2.7 billion.
“There are few entertainment franchises that generate over $1 billion in annual net bookings,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “And today, we operate three of them: Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. And each has clear opportunity for sustained growth.”
The lack of physical traffic in Europe appears to be hurting groups such as Century Casino Inc. (NASDAQ:CNTY), which cited its casinos in Poland having a softer Q3 2020. While casinos in smaller cities around the country (drawing more local patrons) are doing well, their two larger casinos in the Polish capital of Warsaw are being softened because of the lack of tourists and business travelers. However, the global casino entertainment company has already begun to move on internet sports betting, such as in October partnering with Tipico for gaming in Colorado. Tipico originally started in Europe in 2004, and is the leading sports betting provider in Germany.
The popularity of online gaming and esports continues to be aided by the work of the world’s largest social network of communities for gamers and esports fans, Enthusiast Gaming (TSX:EGLX). With a reach of over 300 million gaming enthusiasts on a monthly basis, and hosts of the largest mobile gaming event in Europe, Pocket Gamer Connects, Enthusiast Gaming has seen strong growth in 2020—including 36% growth of total advertising revenue, including programmatic advertising revenue growth of 28%.
Because of the nature of their business, Enthusiast’s events have not been as harmed as the more brick-and-mortar centered groups, such as Century Casino. Its latest EGLX 2020 online gaming festival was watched by over 12 million fans, while streaming a total of 53 hours of content over four days from November 10-13.
As the European online gaming and gambling markets continue to grow, companies like Bragg Gaming Group look to be in a good position to take advantage of the gains.
SOURCE Microsmallcap.com
Powered by WPeMatico
Casino Cosmopol
Svenska Spel Publishes its Interim Report for the Second Quarter of 2026
Svenska Spel has published its interim report for the second quarter of 2026.
The second quarter of the year is characterised by increased net gaming revenue, improved operating profit and strengthened operating margin. Eurojackpot, Oddset and casino drive growth, while the FIFA World Cup and the partnership with Swedish football contribute to high customer engagement that strengthens the business.
“We have a clear focus on more customers choosing Svenska Spel, and the development during the quarter shows that our priorities are having an effect. We continue to create sustainable growth by improving the customer offering, developing the gaming experience and strengthening our product brands,” said Anna Johnson, President and CEO of Svenska Spel.
The focus on casino is an example of how Svenska Spel is strengthening its customer offering. During the quarter, the company has improved the customer experience, expanded functionality and launched clearer customer communication. Together, these efforts contribute to a more attractive and competitive offering.
The last month of the quarter was marked by the World Cup, which demonstrates the power of football to bring people together. Svenska Spel has carried out successful activities linked to football, which has created great engagement among customers.
“Our long-term collaboration with the Swedish Football Association is an important part of that. It is a partnership that strengthens our business and at the same time contributes to value for sports throughout Sweden. When we deliver strong financial results, it also gives us better conditions to continue giving back to society and to Swedish sports,” said Anna Johnson.
Financial performance
The Group’s net gaming revenue amounted to SEK 1963 million (1839) during the quarter, an increase of SEK 124 million or 7% compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The growth is driven by high customer activity and an increasing number of customers in both lotteries and sports and casino games.
Net gaming revenue in the Luck business area increased by 7% compared to the same quarter last year. Eurojackpot is the growth engine in the lottery portfolio and, in connection with the high jackpot in May, a record was broken in revenue for a single month. Lotto continues to develop positively, while Triss is affected by tougher comparison figures as Easter fell early this year.
For the Sport & Casino business area, net gaming revenue increased by 11% compared to the same quarter last year. Growth was driven by sports betting and casino. The wide range of offerings during the World Cup, together with activities and new customer offers, had a positive effect on revenue, customer activity and new customer growth. Revenue in the business area increased by 24% in June compared to June last year and sports betting increased by 135%. The number of playing customers increased by 36% and the number of newly registered customers increased by over 340% in June compared to June last year. Sales targets for the World Cup up to and including July 6 have been exceeded, and the outlook for the final part of the championship is positive due to high customer engagement.
Net gaming revenue in the Vegas business area decreased by 16% compared to the same quarter last year. Measures focusing on cost efficiency and profitable business partners continue to meet the development as more and more customers choose to gamble online.
The Group’s online business increased by 14% compared to the corresponding quarter last year. Online accounted for 67% (62) of the Group’s revenue during the quarter.
The Group’s operating profit increased by SEK 72 million or 13% to SEK 617 million (545). Increased revenue contributed to the development. Costs increased but at a lower rate than revenue. The operating margin increased and amounted to 31% (30) for the quarter.
Profits and partnerships with sports
During the quarter, Svenska Spel has awarded 98 million-stakes prizes on lotteries with a total value of just over SEK 269 million. The highest prizes went to two players on Eurojackpot who won just over SEK 28 million each in the same draw. Sports and casino games awarded 22 million-stakes prizes during the quarter, of which 16 on Stryktipset, five on Europatipset and one on Måltipset. The highest prize in sports betting was just over SEK 3 million on Europatipset.
In June, Svenska Spel announced an extended and expanded partnership with the Swedish Ski Association until 2032 with the vision of Sweden becoming the best in the world on snow. This is a historically large investment in Swedish skiing and snowboarding, which for the first time includes all sports within the association. The partnership also means an even greater focus on talent and elite development with an expansion of Team Svenska Spel.
Second quarter summary
• Net gaming revenue for the Group amounted to SEK 1963 million (1839), an increase of SEK 124 million or 7%, primarily driven by growth within Eurojackpot, Lotto, Oddset and casino.
• Operating profit for the Group amounted to SEK 617 million (545), an increase of SEK 72 million or 13%, which is explained by higher net gaming revenue.
• The operating margin amounted to 31% (30).
• Income statements, operating margin and other key figures in the report refer to continuing operations and exclude the land-based casino operations that were discontinued in April 2025.
• The Men’s World Cup has had a positive impact on revenue and customer activity in the sports betting business. The Swedish participation in the World Cup has reinforced that effect and the partnership with the Swedish Football Association has increased the visibility.
• Extended and expanded the collaboration with the Swedish Ski Association until 2032. For the first time, it includes all sports within the association as well as an expanded focus on talent and elite development.
Summary of the period January – June
• Net gaming revenue amounted to SEK 7693 million (7573), an increase of SEK 154 million or 4%.
• The online sales channel increased by 11%.
• Operating profit for the Group amounted to SEK 2539 million (2317), an increase of SEK 97 million or 8%.
• The operating margin amounted to 33% (32).
• Income statements, operating margin and other key figures in the report refer to continuing operations and exclude the land-based casino operations that were discontinued in April 2025.
• The profit for the continuing operations amounted to SEK 1066 million (952).
• The sale of the former Casino Cosmopol property in Stockholm has been completed with Alecta Fastigheter as the buyer, which is reported within discontinued operations.
• Implemented the Tips-SM where the top tipsters get to donate half a million kronor to sports clubs through the sponsorship initiative Gräsroten.
The post Svenska Spel Publishes its Interim Report for the Second Quarter of 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Artificial intelligence
Jumio Enters into Partnership with BOYLE Sports
Jumio, the leading provider of AI-powered identity intelligence, has partnered with BOYLE Sports, Ireland’s largest independently owned bookmaker, to deliver a faster, safer, and more seamless onboarding experience for players across the UK and Ireland.
BOYLE Sports is using Jumio’s Identity Verification and Doc Proof solutions to automatically and rapidly verify new players’ identities during onboarding. Jumio’s AI-powered checks enable BOYLE Sports to verify customers’ identities while supporting a smoother, more efficient onboarding journey, helping the company manage compliance requirements, and maintaining the high levels of customer trust and assurance needed in online gaming.
Ireland recently overhauled its gaming framework with the passing of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which placed additional requirements on operators to balance customer experience, fraud prevention and regulatory readiness. Jumio helps BOYLE Sports and other operators to comply with new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) mandates, by streamlining player verification workflows and providing robust, automated AML screening.
“BOYLE Sports is committed to putting customers first, and that starts with making onboarding as simple, secure and reliable as possible. Jumio gives us a more advanced identity verification experience, with AI-powered checks that help us protect our customers and our business. We have already seen higher automatic verification rates, which not only improves the customer onboarding experience, but also reduces our operating costs by minimising the need for manual checks,” said Gareth Mok, director of operational compliance at BOYLE Sports.
“Gaming operators are being asked to move faster, protect players better and meet new GRAI compliance expectations all at once. We know that a strong onboarding experience is not just about speed – it’s about building trust from the first interaction. We are proud to support BOYLE Sports as it continues to raise the bar for safe, customer-first gaming across the UK and Ireland,” said Mike Nawrocki, chief revenue officer at Jumio.
The post Jumio Enters into Partnership with BOYLE Sports appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
PhilWeb Corporation Announces an Exclusive Partnership with Pragmatic Play
PhilWeb Corporation has announced an exclusive partnership with Pragmatic Play that will enable licensed gaming operators in the Philippines to utilise international ecosystem partner Pragmatic Play’s gaming services through PhilWeb. The partnership represents a significant expansion of PhilWeb’s technology-enabled gaming services business and further strengthens its position as a trusted technology and commercial partner for licensed gaming operators in the Philippines.
Under the arrangement, PhilWeb provides hosted services through remote technology infrastructure and API-enabled integration, enabling operators to efficiently make available a broad portfolio of gaming offerings to their end users, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and contractual arrangements, within the third quarter of 2026.
“This partnership represents an important milestone in PhilWeb’s long-term strategy of expanding its technology-enabled gaming services business. By collaborating with one of the industry’s leading international gaming services providers, we are positioned to broaden our commercial relationships with licensed operators while creating a scalable and recurring revenue stream through technology-enabled services,” said Edgar Brian K. Ng, President of PhilWeb.
Pragmatic Play is already utilised by a substantial majority of online gaming platforms licensed to operate in the Philippines. PhilWeb expects the exclusive commercial arrangement to strengthen its existing operator relationships while creating opportunities for further growth as additional operators adopt the hosted gaming services available through the partnership.
The partnership also establishes a platform for PhilWeb to pursue additional collaborations with international gaming services providers, supporting its objective of building a diversified portfolio of technology-enabled offerings for the regulated Philippine gaming market.
The post PhilWeb Corporation Announces an Exclusive Partnership with Pragmatic Play appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoArizona Department of Gaming Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Multiple Operators Linked to Underage Gambling and Illegal Activity
-
Latest News7 days agoWeekend Reels | Week 28: Slot Drops & Trends
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoArizona regulator orders five operators to stop alleged illegal gambling activity
-
Latest News7 days agoWhat Does a Win Feel Like? WinSpirit Is Trying to Find Out
-
Latest News7 days agoSilver Strike slot machines at the Plaza Hotel & Casino to offer new coins
-
Latest News7 days agoWhat Does a Win Feel Like? WinSpirit Is Trying to Find Out
-
Canada4 days agoDraftKings Set to Launch its Online Sportsbook and Casino in Alberta
-
Canada4 days agoAltenar Joins Alberta’s New Regulated iGaming Market



