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ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market for the first quarter of 2021: business continues to grow in all gambling segments
After a singular year in 2020, which ended with a 22% increase in the sector’s turnover, the first quarter of 2021 confirms the very dynamic growth of the online gambling market, with a 35% increase in turnover compared to the same period in 2020. Sports and horse racing betting once again recorded record stakes, while poker, still on the rise, began to return to normal.
In the first quarter of 2021, the turnover of the online gambling sector is up 35% and amounts to 587 million euros. The business was driven by 3.1 million players on accounts, a player base that is up 19% compared to 2020. Each segment of online gambling opened to competition have seen further strong growth in activity this quarter. These performances illustrate the acceleration of the digitalisation of gambling practices, which is a consequence of the health crisis and whose structuring character will have to be confirmed over the long term. As such, the levels of growth recorded in the first quarter of 2021, which are measured in relation to the first quarter of 2020, should be viewed with a certain amount of caution since, on the one hand, they are influenced upwards, for the two online betting segments, by the loss of business linked to the suspension of French sports betting and horse racing betting and, on the other hand, they are oriented downwards for the online poker market, due to the peak of business recorded at the same period last year.
Online sports betting: record stakes and new players
The online sports betting segment, which was the most affected by the first period of lockdown, is the one that has seen the most spectacular growth in stakes this quarter. 2.2 billion euros (+79%[1] compared to Q1 2020) were approximatively bet by the players on the competitions of the quarter, which corresponds to the highest amount of stakes recorded in a quarter. The number of sports bettors in the quarter increased by 29% to almost 2.5 million active player accounts (APA). It is very likely that the growth in activity will continue at a high rate this year due to the two major competitions, the European football championship and the Summer Olympic Games.
The FDJ reports a volume of sports betting stakes recorded on the two distribution channels equal to 1.1 billion euros in the first quarter of 2021, which corresponds to an increase of 46% compared to its results for the first quarter of 2020.
Online horse racing betting: growth continues and expands
The growth dynamic of the online horse racing betting market observed in 2020 is also continuing at a very steady pace. The horse racing stakes, which amount to 481 million euros, increased by 60% compared to the first quarter of 2020, again the highest volume of stakes recorded in a quarter. At the same time, the turnover of the six licensed horse racing betting operators reached 110 million euros, an increase of 48% compared to the first quarter of 2020. Online horse racing betting also recorded a 13% increase in players, with a total of 402,000 active player accounts (APA) over the quarter.
The horse racing betting offer at points of sale remains affected by the health restrictions which, as revealed by PMU, led to the closure of almost 40% of the points of sale for several consecutive months. As a result, the operator posted a 23% drop in stakes placed in its network of sales outlets for a total of 1.3 billion euros.
Online poker: lower growth marks the beginning of a return to normality
Online poker, which recorded the highest turnover increase in 2020, continues to grow at a sustained rate but at a lower rate than in previous quarters. Thus, the sector’s turnover grew by 23% to 120 million euros. The number of online poker players grew by 9% (991,000 active player accounts, (APA)). The results of online poker for the next quarter should however interrupt this dynamic, since they will be calculated with regard to the 2nd quarter of 2020, which had shown an exceptional level of activity due to the first lockdown.
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Q1 2020
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Q1 2021
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Variation
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TOTAL
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|
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|
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Actives player accounts
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2 598 000
|
3 078 000
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+ 19%
|
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
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435 m€
|
587 m€
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+ 35%
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|
Sports betting
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|||
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Actives player accounts
|
1 915 000
|
2 466 000
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+ 29%
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|
stakes
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1 220 m€
|
2 181 m€
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+ 79%
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|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
263 m€
|
357 m€
|
+ 36%
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|
Horse racing betting
|
|
|
|
|
Actives player accounts
|
357 000
|
402 000
|
+ 13%
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|
stakes
|
300 m€
|
481 m€
|
+ 60%
|
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
74 m€
|
110 m€
|
+ 48%
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|
Poker
|
|
|
|
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Actives player accounts
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906 000
|
991 000
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+ 9%
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|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
98 m€
|
120 m€
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+ 23%
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For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ’s Chairwoman: “The online gambling dynamics goes on and is accelerating this quarter. It calls for a certain vigilance and must be accompanied in order to guarantee the protection of players, especially in the run-up to major sport events such as the EURO football tournament or the Tokyo Olympic Games. As such, the ANJ reminded operators of the need for their commercial communications to emphasise the importance of maintaining a moderate and controlled gambling practice and for bonuses or welcome offers to be sufficiently clear, enabling players to understand the commitments they underlie. Additionally, the ANJ will pay particular attention to tipsters’ Websites which have recently strongly developed. Some of these Websites are in fact involved in misleading practices and present a real danger for players.”
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Diamond Slam
ENJOY debuts Diamond Slam, the next must-play in its jackpot portfolio
Provider launches a rapid 3×3 release that combines classic slot appeal with contemporary jackpot features for significant winning opportunities.
12th February 2026: ENJOY, the vibrant iGaming content creator, has enhanced its growing slot collection with the launch of Diamond Slam, an exciting and powerful new game that combines traditional slot charm with contemporary jackpot-oriented mechanics.
The small 3×3, 5 fixed payline slot embodies the allure of classic fruit machines with colorful fruit icons, seamless animations, and a lively backdrop, producing a dynamic and engaging environment.
The game’s distinctive feature is the Jackpot Slam. Players gather tokens that fill progress indicators for the Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand Jackpots, enabling players to track their advancement and heightening excitement.
Free spins may be activated by obtaining three bonus or Jackpot Slam symbols, or via a random enhancement that introduces additional special symbols to finalize the activation. This maintains the core game’s excitement and allows each spin to transform into intense action.
When free spins start, only bonus and Jackpot Slam symbols are present. The feature begins with six spins, and hitting three or more special symbols grants an extra spin. Bonus symbols instantly contribute their value to the overall win, whereas Jackpot Slam symbols advance one of the four jackpots. When a jackpot is won, its meter returns to zero, enabling several drops to be collected in one bonus round.
Diamond Slam merges straightforwardness, rapid gameplay, and significant jackpot possibilities, establishing it as an exceptional part of ENJOY’s expanding content portfolio. It offers an ideal blend of nostalgia and contemporary thrill, designed for gamers looking for intense slot action.
Taras Stepovyi, Product Owner at ENJOY Gaming said: “Classic slots remain one of the most timeless and universally loved formats, and Diamond Slam is our latest step in pushing that tradition forward.
“With this game, we’ve taken a familiar 3×3 setup and injected it with high-energy jackpot progression, constant engagement and true big-win potential that resonates with both players and operators.”
The post ENJOY debuts Diamond Slam, the next must-play in its jackpot portfolio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Custom Bet
Sportradar Launches “Custom Bet” Feature
Sportradar AG has launched Custom Bet, a bet builder feature within its Premium Cricket Services (PCS). This new offering launches ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, one of the year’s most watched cricket sporting events.
Custom Bet is a flexible bet builder that allows fans to design their own wagers by combining selections across player performances, team milestones and match events in a single bet slip. Sixteen additional markets are also now available, including top batter and bowler in both innings and match, highest first over, highest opening partnership, match fours and sixes.
The Custom Bet feature is now available pre-match across all top-tier men’s T20 fixtures globally. Built on Sportradar’s industry leading cricket APIs, Custom Bet can be implemented by operators already using Sportradar cricket betting solutions.
Will Winzor, Head of Premium Cricket Services at Sportradar, said: “Cricket’s complexity has historically made it challenging to deliver a comprehensive betting portfolio. By leveraging our Premium Cricket Services and advanced APIs, Custom Bet ensures operators can deliver these complex, data driven betting options reliably and at scale, while providing fans a more entertaining experience.”
The post Sportradar Launches “Custom Bet” Feature appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
S Gaming ignites US expansion with Fanatics Casino partnership
S Gaming, the fast-growing developer of highly entertaining online slots and casino games, has taken another major step in its US expansion strategy by securing a partnership with leading operator Fanatics Casino.
As part of the agreement, Fanatics Casino will exclusively roll out S Gaming’s standout title, Triple 7 Jackpot, across regulated iGaming markets including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
What Makes Triple 7 Jackpot Stand Out?
Triple 7 Jackpot delivers a classic slot experience infused with vibrant neon energy. At the heart of the game is its signature Triple 7 feature, which remains visible on-screen throughout gameplay. Players can unlock this feature by landing three Bonus 7 symbols in a single spin.
Once activated, the feature awards one bonus spin and a chance to land the impressive 500x Jackpot prize, adding significant win potential to the experience.
In addition, players can trigger Free Spins by landing three Scatter symbols during the base game, awarding seven Free Games and further opportunities to boost winnings.
Strengthening a Growing US Presence
The partnership with Fanatics Casino marks another milestone in S Gaming’s ambitious US growth strategy. The studio’s focus on sustainable entertainment and accessible, casual gameplay is already resonating with American players.
Charles Mott, CEO and Co-Founder of S Gaming, highlighted the importance of the deal:
“Fanatics Casino needs no introduction and is one of the powerhouse brands in the regulated US market. We’re thrilled to see Triple 7 Jackpot added to its casino lobby and to bring the game to players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan for the first time.”
Mott also noted that the company now works with two major US operators—Fanatics and BetMGM—with additional partnerships expected in the coming months.
Enhancing the Fanatics Casino Portfolio
Fanatics Casino views the collaboration as part of its ongoing strategy to elevate its game offering.
Kieron Shaw, Senior Manager at Fanatics Casino, commented:
“We’re committed to expanding our portfolio to enhance the player experience, which is why we continue to partner with innovative studios like S Gaming. Their focus on fun, combined with strong win potential, brings something fresh and exciting to our platform.”
With this latest launch, S Gaming continues to cement its position in the competitive US iGaming landscape, leveraging premium partnerships to deliver engaging slot experiences to players nationwide.
The post S Gaming ignites US expansion with Fanatics Casino partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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